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 die from suicide than any other cause. I have lost two clients this year due to suicide. Two other officers died from suicide in November.

A few weeks ago, I argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court in the case of Angela Hawley v. City of Blaine and League of Minnesota Cities. Less than ten days later, the Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed the employer/insurer’s appeal as moot, which is one of the outcomes that I advocated for at oral arguments.

Our state’s first responders are involved with on-the-job incidents each day that are more than the average person can imagine. What they witness and the situations they deal with take a toll on their mental health and it’s more important than ever to support those who protect us and ease the stigma of getting help. We’re honored to have a relationship with the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) and happy to be a resource to their members with Minnesota workers’ compensation and PERA/MSRS disability claim needs.

The Minnesota Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) recently held their 2019 Steward Training and invited Meuser Law Office, P.A. to speak at the two-day annual event. Ron Meuser and Jen Yackley gave a presentation to the group of approximately 120 attendees, which included LELS business agents, stewards and staff. Over the two days, the Meuser Law attorneys had the opportunity to meet new stewards, presented valuable information, and educated attendees on new aspects of PERA.