Cumulative Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Police Officers
As of January 1, 2019, a new law has gone into effect that may drastically change the way work-related PTSD claims are handled in Minnesota. For PTSD injuries that occur on or after January 1, 2019, there is now a presumption for first responders that their PTSD is work-related. A first responder’s PTSD still must meet the […]
How the Proposed Minnesota Workers’ Compensation PTSD Treatment Parameters Will Affect First Responders
In 2018, the Minnesota legislature took a huge step, and passed legislation creating a workers’ compensation statutory presumption of PTSD for our state’s first responders. In other words, for certain workers in the state of Minnesota, including police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, and others defined as “first responders,” a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder is to be […]
Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”) Covered under Work Comp?
As of January 1, 2019, a new law has gone into effect that may drastically change the way work-related PTSD claims are handled in Minnesota. For PTSD injuries that occur on or after January 1, 2019, there is now a presumption for first responders that their PTSD is work-related. A first responder’s PTSD still must meet the […]
Minneapolis Requires Mindfulness Training, While Minnesota Adopts Rules That Limit Proven Mental Health Treatment for Peace Officers
The Southwest Journal, a local newspaper in Southwest Minneapolis, recently reported on the development of a mindfulness and wellness program aimed at making Minneapolis cops “more compassionate” in response to the highly publicized shooting death of Minneapolis resident Justine Ruszczyk Damond. According to the article “before the end of the year, all 888 MPD officers will […]
I Have PTSD, What Are My Treatment Options?
We represent dozens of police officers, firefighters and other first responders who have developed PTSD due to work-related traumatic exposures. PTSD is a serious, sometimes debilitating disorder, that can wreak havoc on a person’s family, social and work life. Fortunately, things can get better with time and treatment. The “best” type of treatment for PTSD varies from person to person and […]
Don’t Miss the PERA Police and Fire Plan Deadline
There are several important deadlines that Minnesota police officers and firefighters need to be aware of when filing a PERA disability benefits claim, including the 18-month post-termination filing deadline. Applications for Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Police and Fire Plan Duty or Regular Disability Benefits MUST be filed within 18 months after the person’s termination from public service. If an application is not filed within 18 […]
Independent Psychological Evaluations
When do I have to submit to an IPE? An independent psychological evaluation (IPE) may be required for mental disability claims. Under the Workers’ Compensation Act, only certain mental disorders are compensable. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined by Minn. Stat. 176.11, subd. 15 as the condition described in the most recently published addition of the DSM-V. […]
Sustained an Injury in the Line of Duty?
If you have sustained an injury in the line of duty, you may be entitled to hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of benefits. There are several types of benefits available to Minnesota’s first responders who have been injured in the line of duty, depending on the individual circumstances of the case. It can be complicated to coordinate all […]
What if the Critical Incidents Which Cause PTSD Happen Prior To October 1, 2013?
Frequently, Minnesota police officers, firefighters, and corrections officers worry that they may not be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits arising out of his or her employment because the critical incidents pre-date October 1, 2013. Due to the nature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), classifying PTSD as a specific injury with a specific “exposure” date may be illogical, especially in cases involving […]
PERA Permanent and Total Disability vs PERA Duty Disability
PERA Duty Disability benefits and PERA Permanent Total Disability benefits entitle qualified members to 60% of the member’s average salary over his or her five highest-paid consecutive years of service, which is the equivalent to a retirement benefit based on 20 years of service. If members have in excess of 20 years of qualifying service he […]
