Delta provided its flight attendants with new uniforms over the summer of 2018. Unfortunately, after the change to the new uniforms, many employees have become sick. They’ve been experiencing physical symptoms, such as rashes, chaffing, eye issues, nose bleeds, headaches, and even breathing problems. In the past American Airlines struggled with a similar issue when employees began experiencing health problems related to the chemicals present in their uniforms.

Did you sustain an injury on or after October 1, 2018? If so, there are a several significant changes that went into effect in 2018 and 2019 that may increase the value of your Minnesota workers’ compensation claims.  

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 or she will receive an additional 3% for every year in excess of 20 years.

If PERA awards a police officer, firefighter, or deputy sheriff permanent total disability (PTD) benefits then he or she IS still entitled to permanent total disability benefits under Minnesota worker’s compensation. Permanent total disability benefits in workers’ compensation are benefits payable to injured workers who are unable to return to gainful employment. PTD is calculated using an injured worker’s average weekly wage (AWW) and is multiplied by 2/3 for a compensation rate under Minnesota Statute §176.011, subdivision 18. This amount is capped at the same limit as temporary total disability (TTD) and is subject to cost of living adjustments over time. PERA disability benefits and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits are also increased on a very limited basis over time. In many cases, employees must reach a certain rating of permanent partial disability (PPD) before he or she is awarded PTD benefits or deemed to have reached PTD. These ratings take into account all permanent conditions, work related or not, that affect the employee’s ability to work.