Earlier this year, 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 presumed to be work-related. The goal of this bill, authorized by Representative Nick Zerwas (R), and which had almost unanimous support in the legislature, was to eliminate barriers to quick, effective medical care for our State’s first responders suffering from PTSD.

Dear Police Officer,

You need more car insurance! 

Sincerely,
A Lawyer Who Knows

Unfortunately, at Meuser Law Office, P.A. one of the issues we frequently encounter is when a Minnesota police officer, deputy sheriff, or state trooper who suffers a career ending injury does not have enough car insurance to adequately protect themselves.

When winter weather strikes, Minnesota’s State Troopers, police officers, and sheriff’s deputies are out in full force to assist motorists involved in crashes or in need of assistance due to bad road conditions. Move over and slow down when you see an officer on the side of the road. Watch this powerful video from the Minnesota State Patrol’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MnStatePatrol/videos/10155267944773144/

Unfortunately, while they are helping motorists in need of assistance, our State’s law enforcement officers are placed in harm’s way. Every winter, dozens of Minnesota police officers suffer injuries as a result of a car accident. All too often, these crashes occur while an officer is assisting a motorist and another motorist loses control or is not paying attention and hits the officer who is stopped on the side of the road. An officer is far more likely to be killed or seriously injured as a result of a car crash than being killed or seriously injured by gunfire.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Minnesota State Troopers are entitled to a variety of benefits to cover medical expenses and wage loss if they are injured in the line of duty. Whether the injuries are due to a car accident, a lifting incident, a slip and fall while chasing a suspect, or wear-and-tear over time, if the State Trooper’s work activities are a substantial contributing factor to the injuries, the Trooper is eligible for Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits.