Minnesota PERA Lawyer

Lawyers for Minnesota’s First Responders and Their Families.

Being a first responder is one of the toughest and most selfless jobs out there. Every day, you put your life on the line to keep our Minnesota communities safe, and that’s a sacrifice we deeply respect. 

If you’ve been injured while serving as a police officer, state trooper, firefighter, paramedic, or correctional officer, you deserve strong and reliable support. As attorneys experienced in PERA and MSRS disability claims, Meshbesher & Spence is here to help Minnesotans like you get the benefits you need.

We know the ins and outs of workers’ compensation, PERA and MSRS disability claims, 299A.465 healthcare continuation claims, and personal injury claims. Our team will guide you through the complicated, ever-changing rules and regulations and coordinate your benefits to maximize the money you’ll receive from all sources.

You have a tough job, so you deserve a Minnesota PERA attorney who’s just as tough at protecting your interests. Contact Meshbesher & Spence online or call (612) 339-9121 today.

Our firm recognizes and respects the dangerous work first responders take on every day. For over 60 years, we’ve been dedicated to repaying our debt to these brave individuals by supporting them through the complexities of PERA disability claims.

Who Is Eligible for PERA or MSRS Disability Benefits?

The Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) provides public workers with retirement and disability benefits. We focus on assisting first responders through the complicated PERA disability process and getting them the benefits they need to support their family through a career-ending injury.

The Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) provides retirement and disability benefits to state employees. Meshbesher & Spence assists corrections officers, state troopers, and nurses get the disability benefits they are entitled to following a career-ending injury.

In Minnesota, several types of first responders may be entitled to PERA and/or MSRS disability benefits after a work-related injury in addition to their workers’ compensation benefits, including: 

• Police officers
• Firefighters
• State troopers
• HCMC paramedics
• Corrections officers

Do I Qualify for PERA or MSRS Disability Benefits?

The following qualifications must be met to be eligible for PERA disability or MSRS disability benefits:

• Your disability must be expected to last for at least 12 months.
• Your disability must have been incurred while you were performing inherently dangerous duties that are specific to your position.
• You must be an active public servant at the time you become disabled.
• You must be able to prove that you are unable to perform the duties that your position requires.
• Your application for benefits must be made within 18 months of ending your employment.
• You cannot already be receiving a PERA or MSRS pension.

What Can a PERA Disability Lawyer in Minnesota Help Me Get?

The specific types of benefits you may be eligible for depend on your job descriptions: 

PERA Police and Fire Disability Benefits

Tax-free disability benefits paid at 60% of the average salary for the highest five years of a disabled officer, firefighter, or HCMC paramedic. These benefits remain tax-free until the individual turns 55. 

If an officer or firefighter has more than 20 years of service, they will receive an extra 3% for each year beyond 20, but this extra amount is taxable.

PERA Corrections Disability Benefits

These disability benefits are paid at a base rate of 47.5% of a disabled corrections officer’s average high-five salary. 

These benefits are completely untaxed until a corrections officer reaches the age of 55. At the age of 55, the corrections officer’s gross pay remains the same, but their benefits become taxable.

MSRS State Patrol Plan Disability Benefits

Tax-free benefits paid at a base rate of 60% of a state trooper’s average high-five salary. These benefits are tax-free until the disabled state trooper reaches the age of 55.

Furthermore, if a state trooper has more than 20 years of service, the trooper will receive an additional 3% for each year of service above 20. This additional money is taxable.

MSRS Corrections Plan Disability Benefits

These are tax-free benefits, paid at a base rate of 50% of a corrections officer’s high-five salary. Like most of the disability plans listed here, these benefits are nontaxable until a corrections officer reaches the age of 55. 

At the age of 55, the corrections officer’s gross pay remains the same, but their benefits become taxable.

It’s important to note that your PERA and MSRS disability benefits may be reduced based on your workers’ compensation case and future earnings. That’s why it’s crucial to hire an attorney who is knowledgeable about workers’ compensation and PERA or MSRS disability benefits so you can maximize your total recovery following a career-ending injury.

Chat with a knowledgeable Minnesota PERA attorney to discuss your specific situation so we can create a plan to maximize the benefits available to you from all sources. Reach out to Meshbesher & Spence online or call (612) 339-9121 to discuss your options.

Can a PERA Disability Attorney in Minnesota Help Me Secure Health Benefits?

If you’re a police officer, firefighter, or state trooper and you qualify for duty disability benefits, you’re also entitled to have your health insurance paid for by your employer until you turn 65. As a general rule, the type of health coverage you get (like single or family) usually matches what coverage you had before you became disabled.

These health benefits come from Minnesota Statute Sec. 299A.465, and this benefit is triggered after being approved for an MSRS or PERA disability benefit. Unfortunately, corrections officers, paramedics approved for duty disability, and police officers or firefighters approved for regular disability don’t get these health benefits.

“After realizing I needed help, a friend recommended me to Ashley. Meeting Ashley for the first time, I felt the support and understanding I so desperately needed! Ashley made me realize the life I was missing out on. She told me from day 1 to trust her and throughout the process, she always made me feel that she had my best interest in mind. I will forever be grateful for Ashley and how she saved my life!”

Client, Joe Kanz

What “Counts” as a Disability?

This question is one of many that highlights how tricky PERA and MSRS disability benefits can be. 

For PERA benefits, your disability needs to last or be expected to last at least a year. You also must have been injured while performing inherently dangerous duties specific to your position.

Disabilities that may qualify for benefits include: 

• PTSD and other mental health conditions.
• Orthopedic injuries from a specific occurrence. 
• Orthopedic injuries from performing inherently dangerous job duties over time.
• Cancer.
• Vision or hearing loss.
• Heart attacks or strokes.
• Death.

Each plan has its own specific requirements, so understanding your PERA or MSRS Plan and exactly what it covers is necessary to secure the benefits you need. That’s where a Minnesota PERA attorney steps in. A lawyer can accurately assess what you’re entitled to and how to assist you in getting benefits.

Is PTSD Covered Under PERA or MSRS Benefits?

The short answer is: PTSD is covered by PERA and MSRS disability if it becomes a disabling injury that makes it difficult or impossible for a first responder to do their jobs.

It’s estimated that 1 in 3 police officers, firefighters, and other first responders develop PTSD. It’s real. It’s life changing. And it’s worth having an experienced lawyer lead the fight for you.

We understand that the culture within law enforcement and the fire service often discourages police officers, firefighters, and paramedics from seeking help for PTSD symptoms. 

Therefore, many first responders do not get assistance until their condition has become significant and disabling. PTSD injuries take time to heal and require the support of mental health professionals who have experience treating first responders with PTSD from cumulative trauma.

The attorneys at Meshbesher & Spence have represented hundreds of first responders with PTSD. Get in touch with us online or call (612) 339-9121 to determine if you are eligible for PERA or MSRS disability benefits due to your psychological injury. 

How Can a Minnesota PERA Lawyer Help Me?

As a first responder, you’ve dedicated your life to helping others, so you may feel hesitant about seeking legal help. However, with the stress of your injury and the complexity of PERA/MSRS disability process, partnering with a lawyer can make a big difference in ensuring you get the financial support you deserve.

A lawyer can improve the chances of success in your claim by: 

• Determining which benefits you are eligible for.
• Calculating any additional benefits you qualify for, like 299A.465 continued health insurance coverage, workers’ compensation benefits, and/or personal injury benefits.
• Filing a complete and thorough disability claim.
• Submitting your claim on time to ensure you don’t miss crucial deadlines.
• Preparing you for required independent physical or physical examinations.
• Submitting an appeal your behalf if your benefits are denied.

A Minnesota PERA lawyer at Meshbesher & Spence has the experience that will guide you through your claim. We offer free case evaluations with no obligation. 

Meshbesher & Spence: A Successful History of Helping First Responders

Our team has proudly served thousands of people in Minnesota. First responders looking to get PERA/MSRS disability benefits in Minnesota need a law firm that can offer professional legal representation and have a proven track record to back up their claims. 

Below are just a few notable cases where we have seen first responders through tough times, getting them the compensation they deserve: 

• Secured a $295,000 healthcare continuation and workers’ compensation settlement for a Bloomington Police Officer with PTSD.
• Obtained a $237,500 workers’ compensation settlement for an Olmsted County Deputy with career-ending injuries.
• $200,000 healthcare continuation settlement awarded to a Blaine Police Officer due to PTSD.

Why Hire Meshbesher & Spence

When so much is at stake, you deserve a law firm that truly cares. Our firm has helped first responders for over 60 years.

Attorney Ashley Biermann has dedicated her career to assisting first responders with injury claims and is particularly knowledgeable in this area of law. Attorney Biermann has handled hundreds of PERA and MSRS disability claims from inception to approval in addition to appeals when necessary.

When you work with an attorney from Meshbesher & Spence, you won’t pay any fees until you receive your compensation. This is because we use a “contingency fee agreement, which means if you don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.

This approach is especially important for first responders facing disability. It ensures you can get the experienced, dedicated help you need without any upfront costs or financial risk.

Get in touch with us online or call (612) 339-9121 for a 100% free, no risk case review to understand what benefits may be available to you.

Proudly Representing Minnesota Residents

FAQs

How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?

You only have a limited amount of time to file a PERA disability claim, so it’s important to act quickly. Generally, you must submit your claim within 18 months of leaving public service. It’s recommended that you speak with an attorney sooner rather than later so you don’t miss important deadlines. Contact our team online or call (612) 339-9121 to let our team help you figure out when you need to apply.

When Can I Expect My Disability Benefits?

The timeline for when you receive your benefits can vary based on several factors. Generally, it can take a few months from the time you submit your complete application to receive your first payment, but that’s not always the case. In addition, PERA and MSRS disability applications involving a mental health injury require that the claimant undergo 24 weeks of treatment prior to apply for disability benefits.

Our attorneys will make the process as smooth and efficient as possible to help you receive benefits without any unnecessary delays.

How Can I Apply for PERA/MSRS Disability Benefits?

When you apply for these disability benefits, you must provide two medical reports showing your disability will last 12 months or more. These reports must also indicate that your work injury occurred on the job. The requirements vary based on the type of disability and the applicable plan. An attorney can help you collect the full and accurate documentation needed to support your claim.

What If My Benefits Were Denied?

If your PERA or MSRS benefits were denied, an attorney can help you appeal the decision. They will review your case, gather additional evidence, and present a strong argument to challenge the denial. By successfully handling many of these claims before, we can improve your chances of getting the benefits you deserve by addressing any issues with the initial decision and guiding you through the appeal process effectively.