Two Minneapolis Police Officers Hurt in Car Crash on Tuesday

The Star Tribune reports that two Minneapolis police officers were injured Tuesday night in a car accident involving the squad car occupied by the police officers, and two other vehicles in downtown Minneapolis on 10th Street and 3rd Avenue South. The police officers were headed north, on their way to assist other officers who were investigating a report of a person with a gun.

According to the Strib, the exact cause of the crash has yet to be determined.

The police officers were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where one was admitted with a dislocated hip and leg injuries, and the other was treated for a broken ankle.

On-the-job car accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries to Minnesota police officers. Police officers who are injured as a result of a car accident in the course and scope of their employment are entitled to Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits, including medical expense benefits, wage loss benefits, rehabilitation benefits, and permanency benefits.

In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, Minnesota police officers who sustain injuries in a car accident while at work may also be able to bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault party or parties.

What additional benefits are available in a civil liability claim?

While Minnesota workers’ compensation provides coverage regardless of who is a fault, there are limits to the types that can be brought. Here are some of the differences between the types of benefits available.

Workers’ Compensation	Civil Liability
Wage Loss Limited to 130 weeks when you are completely off work. Limited to 225 weeks when you are working at a reduced earning capacity. Wage loss benefits may end 90 days after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) if you are completely off work. Limited to 2/3 of your average weekly wage. Capped at $850.00 per week.	Wage Loss No time limit on the duration of your wage loss claim, either when you’re completely off work, or when you’re working at a reduced earning capacity.  Can claim 100% of your actual wage loss.   Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) has no impact on the duration of your entitlement to wage loss. No monetary cap.
No claims for  pain and suffering,  loss of enjoyment of life,  inconvenience,  embarrassment, etc.	Can claim  pain and suffering,  loss of enjoyment of life,  inconvenience,  embarrassment, etc.
No loss of consortium claims for spouses.	Loss of consortium claims for spouses.

There are law firms in Minnesota that practice workers’ compensation law, and there are law firms in Minnesota that practice personal injury law. There are also a few firms that practice both workers’ compensation and personal injury, including Meuser & Associates. When your attorney practices in both areas, there’s no need to hire two separate lawyers to handle both aspects of your case. 

Check out our previous article about Car Accidents in the Course and Scope of Your Employment for more information. 

We also represent police officers and firefighters in claims for PERA duty disability benefits if they sustain injuries that prevent them from continuing in their positions.

Meuser & Associates has represented dozens of police officers throughout the State of Minnesota for both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. For a free, no-obligation case evaluation call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.