Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) Steward Training

Earlier last month, Ron Meuser and Jen Yackley of Meuser LawOffice, P.A. were invited back by Minnesota Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) to share information that is important to its members. In August, 2016, Ron and Jen met with business agents as well as their legal department and spoke about the complex issues Minnesota’s Peace Officers face when they are dealing with an injury sustained in the line of duty.

Founded in 1977, Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. is Minnesota’s largest law enforcement labor union specializing in representing law enforcement personnel. The mission of Law Enforcement Labor Services is to represent the interests and priorities of its members. LELS provides professional representation and advocates for its members in areas such as:

• Legal matters
• Competitive pay and benefits
• Negotiating safer working conditions

Understanding the great risk Minnesota’s Peace Officers are in each day, Ron and Jen provided training to over 65 LELS stewards to ensure they know the steps to communicate and benefit eligibility if a peace or police officer sustains an injury in the line of duty. Oftentimes there are multiple benefit claim types involved with one injury so it is imperative the individual works with an attorney knowledgeable in Minnesota workers’ compensation and PERA/MSRS disability law from the beginning. Topics covered included:

• Overview of workers’ compensation and PERA/MSRS disability benefits
• Workers’ compensation wage loss benefits
• Motor vehicle accident injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder and other special situations
• Continuation of health insurance benefits

These topics, general tips, and much more were discussed in detail. A laminated, 3-hole punched document was given to each of the LELS stewards attending the session. This document will be a great resource to any steward should they have to consult with a peace officer injured in the line of duty. If your organization would like a similar document produced, call 1-877-746-5680. Or, simply download it for your reference.

Meuser Law Office, P.A. is one of the few workers’ compensation law firms in the state of Minnesota that also handles PERA and MSRS disability claims. We’ve successfully represented hundreds of the state’s first responders for both workers’ compensation and PERA/MSRS disability claims. Sitting down with us to learn more about your potential claim is much like financial planning. We can explain what rights you have and make recommendations to you in terms of how to best protect your rights to those benefits. The knowledgeable attorneys at Meuser Law Office, P.A. can help the often complex process easier to navigate. Contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation by calling 1-877-746-5680. 

by Ron Meuser
More posts by Ron

Injured Police Officer and Firefighter Timing Issues for PERA Disability Benefits

If you are an injured police officer or firefighter in the state of Minnesota, there are some timing issues that you need to be aware of. First and foremost, if you are going to be applying for a PERA disability benefit you need to apply less than 18 months from the date of your termination. If you do not apply within 18 months of your termination, you are not eligible.

We do occasionally see this situation arise, unfortunately, where an individual has retained a workers' compensation attorney who does not practice PERA and who is not aware of PERA.  In fact, I am aware of one case I can think of as an example where the workers’ compensation claim was very heavily contested and it was very heavily litigated and during the pendency of the litigation her work comp attorney advised her to ‘just hold off on filing for PERA’.

Unfortunately, by the time all was said and done and the client’s workers’ compensation claim was over, the 18 months had passed, within which she would have had time to apply for her PERA benefit. So, this client may have received work comp benefits but she lost out completely on her PERA benefit because she did not file within that 18-month time period.

Don’t wait to get an attorney involved if you have a Minnesota workers’ compensation claim. The process can be complex and you want to be sure you receive the full benefits you are entitled. Contact Meuser Law Office, P.A. for a free no-obligation consultation and claim evaluation. At Meuser Law Office, P.A. we keep our clients informed of the process as well as what to expect each step of the way. Call us today at 1-877-746-5680.

by Jen Yackley
More posts by Jen