The Increased Risk of Heart Conditions in Law Enforcement Officers
It is well documented that law enforcement officers have a higher risk than the general public of developing certain occupational diseases such as Covid-19, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and certain heart conditions. The Minnesota legislature recognized this increased risk and enacted laws that presume that these conditions are work-related and presume that the officer (or […]
The Pitfalls of the Proposed PTSD Legislation
Mental health concerns, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are endemic among law enforcement officers, firefighters, and correctional officers. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “[l]aw enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.”[1] Unfortunately, mental health concerns among first responders are often […]
What Are Indemnity Benefits?
In short, indemnity benefits are monetary payments you may be entitled to receive as compensation for lost wages or damages related to your workers’ compensation claim. There are different categories of benefits that injured workers are entitled to depending on the severity of their injury, and their position in the recovery process. These benefits include […]
Through Grief and Struggles, Heroes Helping Heroes Was Born
By now, many know my story. My name is Samantha Steward and I am an attorney at Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. I am also the wife of a retired Minneapolis police sergeant. While my husband, Chris, was going through the workers’ compensation process, I often felt like I was not doing enough for my […]
Workers’ Compensation and the Basics of a Claim
When you sustain a work-related injury or develop a condition resulting from your work activities, your employer or their insurer are required to provide certain benefits under Minnesota’s workers’ compensation law. These benefits generally involve medical care, compensation for lost wages, compensation for loss of function, and rehabilitation services provided by a qualified rehabilitation consultant […]
Second Chances
Forward by Ron Meuser, Jr. Jen Yackley and I originally met with Dana (who wrote the story below), her husband Ed and his service dog Rex to hear their story and learn how I can help. They founded an organization called Soldier’s 6 whose mission is to provide honorably discharged veterans, police officers, and firefighters […]
MN Workers’ Compensation and First Responder PTSD – Recent Case Law Updates
Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A., has been busy litigating first responder PTSD cases. Several of these cases have addressed significant legal issues, and a number of these cases are making their way up through the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court. Here are the latest developments: Juntunen v. Carlton County Dan […]
Meuser, Yackley & Rowland Secure Significant Court Win for First Responders with PTSD
In 2018, the Minnesota legislature unanimously passed the PTSD presumption, Minnesota Statutes §176.011, subdivision 15(e). Recognizing the significant traumas that first responders are exposed to while protecting and serving our communities, the Minnesota legislature sought to make it easier for first responders diagnosed with work-related PTSD to access potentially life-saving mental health care, and other […]
How Work-Related PTSD or Other Mental Health Issues Can Interfere with Job Performance
I’m here today to chat about a difficult topic that comes up all too frequently, and that is with regards to cases that involve mental health issues and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst law enforcement or firefighters where the person has found themselves in a disciplinary issue. This, unfortunately, arises all too commonly when someone […]
I Never Quite Fit in Anywhere
Forward by Ron Meuser, Jr. Jen Yackley and I originally met with Dana (who wrote the story below), her husband Ed and his service dog Rex to hear their story and learn how I can help. They founded an organization called Soldier’s 6 whose mission is to provide honorable discharged veterans, police officers, and firefighters with specially […]
