Fired for Cause: The Complex Issue of Misconduct and PTSD in Law Enforcement
Allegations of misconduct are not necessarily a barrier to asserting a claim for workers’ compensation and PERA/MSRS Duty Disability benefits for Minnesota police officers and firefighters. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is finally getting recognition as a serious problem for Minnesota’s law enforcement officers. Since October 2013, Minnesota worker’ compensation law now recognizes PTSD as a compensable injury, as does PERA and MSRS for purposes […]
299A.465 Continuation of Health Insurance Benefits and Cash Waivers
In Minnesota, a police officer or firefighter who suffers from a physical or mental condition that limits their ability to perform the normal duties of their position for a period of at least one year, and where that condition is the direct result of an injury or illness arising out of or incurred during the […]
Ron Meuser Speaks at the Annual Rochester Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) Meeting
The Minnesota Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS), #194 Rochester, recently held their annual meeting and invited Ron Meuser, Founder of Meuser Law Office, P.A., to give a presentation to its member group which consists of approximately 125 officers and sergeants. Founded in 1977, Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. is Minnesota’s largest law enforcement labor union specializing in representing […]
WCCA Examines PTSD and the Workers’ Compensation Act
Recently, the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals (“WCCA”) heard a case involving PTSD and the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act. Meuser Law Office Attorney Mary Beth Boyce brought a claim on behalf of her client, alleging that the employee developed post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”) in the course and scope of his employment as a police officer, and as such was entitled […]
Death and Dependency Benefits
When a work-related injury or condition is a substantial factor in causing an employee’s death, the employee’s dependents are entitled to certain benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act. This is referred to as a “dependency claim.” If an injured worker dies due to a work injury, the injured worker’s spouse, children, or other dependent family members […]
Minn. Stat. § 299A.465 Health Insurance Coverage: Summary Judgment in Favor of Three First Responders in District Court
If you are a police officer or firefighter injured in the line of duty, you and your family may be entitled to health insurance coverage through your employer through the age of 65. The legislature through Minnesota Statutes § 299A.465 sets forth that if a police officer or firefighter cannot perform the normal duties of […]
Minnesota Continuation of Health Insurance Claims: The “Nothing to Continue” Defense
What benefits does Minnesota Statutes § 299A.465 provide for duty disabled officers? Minnesota Statutes § 299A.465 provides duty disabled police officers, firefighters and their dependents with health insurance coverage through their former employer through the age of 65. The employer must continue to pay its share of the duty disabled officer or firefighter’s health insurance […]
Meuser Law Attorneys Speak to Burnsville Police Officers and Firefighters
We are pleased to share that Ron Meuser, Jennifer Yackley, Mary Beth Boyce and Ashley Biermann of Meuser Law Office, P.A. were invited recently to speak to the City of Burnsville police officers, firefighters and HR Generalists. Ron and his team of experienced attorneys were asked to educate the group of first responders and HR […]
Police Officer Duty Belts and Gillette Low Back Work Injuries
In Minnesota under the Workers’ Compensation Act the legislature recognizes numerous types of work injuries including specific injuries, Gillette injuries, occupational diseases, and consequential injuries. The case Gillette v. Harold, Inc. established that injuries caused by repetitive minute trauma brought about by the performance of ordinary job duties is compensable under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act. (257 Minn. 313 (1960).) These […]
Medical Treatment & The Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act
Can I choose my treating physician? Yes, you have the right to choose your treating health care provider. But, you must choose wisely because once you choose a treating physician, it becomes difficult to switch. As such, you also have to be careful about continuing treatment with the employer-recommended physician. The employer’s physician will be deemed […]
