One question I want to address today is what is the process like when you come in to consult with myself or another attorney at Meuser, Yackley & Rowland if you are a police officer or firefighter or other first responder that is concerned that they may be experiencing symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I have heard from clients over the years many times that they considered calling me and it took them months to gather the courage to do so. For what it’s worth I want to assure you that my goal at the end of a consultation with an individual that is concerned about symptoms consistent with PTSD my goal is to try to give you some reassurance that things are going to be OK. That is the only objective I have during those initial consultations.

What does that look like? A meeting with me or another attorney in our office is completely, 100% confidential. Your employer is not going to know about it, colleagues are not going to know about it. If you choose to bring a spouse or a family member that is totally fine. If not, they are not going to know about it. It is 100% confidential. 

We will walk through what your potential rights are under both the Duty Disability laws under PERA as well as workers’ compensation and we’re not going to require you to sit and tell us about the worst days of your career. We’re not going to ask about your traumas. We’re not going to make you go through that. We are very cognizant of the fact that it is extremely difficult for law enforcement and firefighters to discuss these things, and we don’t ask you to.

Ultimately, the goal of meeting with someone who is experiencing symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder for the first time is frankly, to provide information to that individual, give them some guidance as far as what rights they may have in the event they are diagnosed with PTSD, develop a game plan if appropriate, and most importantly, to provide assurances that seeking mental health care for someone that is struggling does not have to mean the end of their career. It does not have to mean that everyone knows about it. It means getting on the track to getting better and improving quality of life amongst other things. But it also means providing assurances from a financial standpoint you’re going to be OK. 

Contact Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. for a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation and consultation. The knowledgeable attorneys at Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. take the time with each client to help determine which benefits under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act you are entitled as well as discuss PERA Duty Disability benefits and Healthcare Continuation Benefits under Minnesota Statute §299A.465. Call us today at 1-877-746-5680. 

There are many ways to win an argument. Oftentimes, an experienced attorney will make arguments “in the alternative” to increase the probability of winning.

Successfully arguing, in the alternative, at the Minnesota Supreme Court

When I argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court in January, 2020 (see below), I argued four alternative perspectives to put my client in the best position to win her case, and to ensure the best outcome for future cases affected by the Court’s decision.

My husband has been a Minneapolis Police Officer for 14 years. Through the highs and lows of it all, I have been infinitely proud of his character, resilience, and sense of duty. This life takes a toll on you. To be frank, this is not the lifestyle I would have chosen on my own. Every day, my husband walks out the door and I tell him to be safe. Then I say a prayer asking for him to just come home after work. This life is incredibly hard. Now, it’s even harder. If you’re reading this, I don’t need to tell you that our lives have changed, quite literally, overnight.

Quite often Minnesota police officers with serious on-duty injuries wait to speak with a lawyer until they’re dealing with a legal mess. What I hear from these individuals is since they assumed that they had a “legitimate” injury, they didn’t think they needed a lawyer. Or they assumed their department would take care of them – until they were terminated. Or, since the workers’ compensation insurer was paying, that they didn’t need an attorney – until the workers’ compensation insurer stopped paying benefits. Or, that their friend went through the process and has been giving them some “guidance” on how to navigate the system.