The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) provides retirement and disability benefits for public employees in the state of Minnesota including police officers, firefighters, and corrections officers. A police officer, firefighter, or corrections officer who suffers a disabling injury in the line of duty may be eligible for PERA duty disability benefits.

PERA’s duty disability requirements are complex, and the application process can be difficult. Even after securing approval for PERA duty disability benefits, coordinating those benefits with workers’ compensation is also challenging. Making a mistake during the application process, applying for the wrong type of benefit, missing a timing deadline, or coordinating PERA improperly with workers’ compensation can cost a disabled police officer, firefighter or corrections officer tens of thousands of dollars.

Meuser Law Office, P.A. has proudly and successfully represented hundreds of police officers and firefighters throughout the state of Minnesota for PERA disability and workers’ compensation claims for in-the-line-of-duty injuries.

Coordinating all the different types of benefits available to injured police officers and firefighters is complicated. It’s easy to make mistakes, and those mistakes can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. One of the most common mistakes we see is when an individual applies for the wrong type of PERA Police and Fire Plan Benefit.

In addition to retirement benefits, Minnesota police officers and firefighters who are disabled from performing their regular duties may be eligible for a variety of different types of disability benefits, including:

• regular disability
• duty disability
• permanent and total regular disability
• permanent and total duty disability

Meuser Law Office, P.A. is honored to have represented Ken Boelter, a Fire Captain in Coon Rapids for 16 years. On a beautiful fall day, Ken and his crew were called to action when a house fire broke out. On this day, Ken had taken command of the situation while the crew was fighting the fire. Since he was the instant commander, Ken did not have an air pack on and was inhaling a lot of smoke.
Because of the smoke inhalation he found himself wandering around the fire scene and did not realize at the time he was having a stroke. Meet Ken and his wife Lisa and listen to Ken tell his incredible story about the day his life changed while taking command of a crew of firefighters battling a house fire.

While still paralyzed from the stroke, Ken received a phone call from the work comp insurance company telling him his benefits were being denied. At this time Ken knew he needed to find an experienced attorney to represent him. During the initial phone call with Jen Yackley of Meuser Law Office, P.A., Ken realized they are very knowledgeable in Minnesota PERA police and fire and workers’ compensation law. Meuser Law helped Ken secure his Minnesota PERA line of duty and workers’ compensation benefits and made sure Ken found a job in emergency management so he can continue to work and support his family.

Meuser Law Office, P.A. has represented hundreds of police officers, firefighters, state troopers, and paramedics and we understand the dangers they face each day they put on their uniform. The courage that is demonstrated by these men and women who have chosen to risk their lives in order to serve and protect our citizens can never be fully appreciated. If you have been injured while in the line of duty and want to ensure you receive the benefits you are due, call Meuser Law Office, P.A. today for a free no-obligation consultation.

By all accounts, the first annual Firefighters for Healing Red Tie Gala was a huge success! More than 400 attendees showed up on Saturday November 7, 2015, at the Exchange Club in the historic Lumber Exchange Building in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, dressed in their finest suit and red tie or beautiful red dress. The event raised more than $100,000 through ticket sales, a silent auction, a live auction, and other donations for burn survivors and their families to aid in their recovery efforts. The evening featured red carpet photos, color guard presentation of the flag and national anthem sung by former NFL player, Esera Tuaolo.