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 […]… Read more »

Minnesota’s disabled police officers and firefighters are often eligible for disability benefits – either duty or regular – through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Police and Fire Plan. However, there are certain age and service limitations regulating who can apply for disability benefits. For PERA Duty Disability benefits, a member cannot apply for Duty […]… Read more »

In addition to workers’ compensation and PERA disability benefits, Minnesota’s police officers and firefighters who suffer disabling injuries while performing inherently dangerous duties are also eligible for continued health insurance coverage. Minnesota statute § 299A.465 requires that an employer of a police officer or firefighter who has been awarded PERA Duty Disability benefits continue to […]… Read more »

The general rules is, you will not be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you were commuting to or from work at the time you were injured; however, there are a few exceptions to this rule. In Minnesota, the general rule is that workers’ compensation benefits are available to employees who sustain injuries “while engaged […]… Read more »

In Minnesota under the Workers’ Compensation Act the legislature recognizes numerous types of work injuries including specific injuries, Gillette injuries, occupational diseases, and consequential injuries. The case Gillette v. Harold, Inc. established that injuries caused by repetitive minute trauma brought about by the performance of ordinary job duties is compensable under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation […]… Read more »

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 […]… Read more »

In the state of Minnesota, the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth maintain mounted patrol units. The Minnesota Sheriff’s Mounted Posse Association (MSMPA) is comprised of volunteer and reserve units of mounted deputy sheriffs across the state who assist the County Sheriff whenever appropriate. Mounted patrol units help with crowd control, crime control, search […]… Read more »

Can I choose my treating physician? Yes, you have the right to choose your treating health care provider. But, you must choose wisely because once you choose a treating physician, it becomes difficult to switch. As such, you also have to be careful about continuing treatment with the employer-recommended physician. The employer’s physician will be deemed […]… Read more »

Average response to Priority 1 calls is longest in the 5th Precinct MICHELLE BRUCH / MBRUCH@SOUTHWESTJOURNAL.COM AUGUST 23, 2017 UPDATED: AUGUST 23, 2017 – 11:49 AM Eight minutes after Justine Damond reported a woman’s distressed call for help, she called 911 a second time to make sure police had the right address. Officers arrived in […]… Read more »

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 […]… Read more »