Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Police Officers
On January 1, 2019, a new law went into effect that may drastically change the way work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claims are handled in Minnesota. For PTSD injuries that occur on or after January 1, 2019, there is a presumption for first responders that their PTSD is work-related. The PTSD presumption applies to licensed police officers, […]
Is an EMT Who Contracts COVID-19 Covered Under Minnesota Workers’ Compensation?
Working as a paramedic, EMT or EMS poses inherent dangers, especially during the Coronavirus pandemic. As part of your duties, you are required to go into homes that are not your own and administer hands-on medical assistance to individuals in need. The Minnesota legislature acknowledged these inherent risks and recently passed HF 4537. Effective April 8, 2020, […]
Are Minnesota Nurses Who Contract Coronavirus Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
As Coronavirus-related restrictions phase-out, more Minnesotans, including a significant number of healthcare workers, including nurses, are contracting Coronavirus (COVID-19). In fact, on May 20, 2020, the Star Tribune reported that “health care workers constitute 1,949 of Minnesota’s 17,029 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19.” [1] Minnesota nurses, from Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in Minneapolis to St. […]
Minnesota First Responder COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Presumption Statute – What We Know and What We Don’t
As Minnesota first responders may know, the Minnesota legislature recently passed legislation to create a workers’ compensation statutory presumption for those individuals who contract COVID-19 while performing first responder duties (Minn. Stat. § 176.011). Hopefully, this legislation will serve to provide immediate workers’ compensation medical expense and wage loss coverage for our State’s first responders who are at greatest […]
New COVID-19 Legislation for Minnesota’s First Responders
In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, our state government has taken swift and decisive action to financially protect Minnesota’s first responders who contract the virus. Governor Tim Walz signed into law a revision to the Minnesota’s workers’ compensation statute that creates a presumption that COVID-19 is a work-related occupational disease for first responders. This revision increases […]
Caring for the Sheepdogs: Police Officer Suicide
Prayer of the Sheepdog By Roger Temple The Knights of Old were Men of Honor Who used their Might For Right! Today they’re known as Sheepdogs, Those who carry on the fight. I am a tired old Sheepdog, The guardian of my flock. I keep the predators at bay And stand watch around the clock. […]
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and First Responders: Work Comp Coverage
At Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. we are keeping a very close eye on the evolving situation regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our clients. Please keep in mind that as the situation changes, we all are prepared to adjust and be flexible. We are fielding a lot of questions lately about what options our law […]
Coordination of Benefits Under PERA
One question we are often asked at Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. is whether you can receive PERA Duty Disability benefits and still work in another job. We are also asked if you can receive PERA Duty Disability benefits and Minnesota Workers’ Compensation benefits at the same time. The answer to both questions is yes, but there are some limitations. PERA […]
PTSD: A Silent Epidemic
Every day we are reminded of the risks that law enforcement officers face. Media reports focus on officer shootings leading to the misperception that gunfire is the greatest risk to which an officer is exposed. No one can deny the inherent risk of an officer being shot but the startling fact is that more officers […]
Ron Meuser Participates in the Workers’ Compensation Deskbook Seminar Discussion Panel
Established by the Minnesota State Bar Association to prepare and present high-quality continuing legal education for Minnesota attorneys, the Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (CLE) recently hosted the 2019 Workers’ Compensation Deskbook Seminar and invited Ron Meuser, Founder, Meuser Law Office, P.A. to participate in a discussion panel. Held at their state-of-the-art conference center in Minneapolis, the full day event provided comprehensive coverage […]