STATE EMPLOYEE DISABILITY RETIREMENT

Firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other public employees make up a vital segment of the Massachusetts workforce. However, there are situations in which public workers and the state may disagree. Disability retirement, for example, is often a contentious issue. If you work hard and even risk your life for the good of Massachusetts and her citizens, you deserve to be taken care of. If you get injured on the job, the Law Offices of Morgan J. Gray can help you receive retirement benefits if you are injured or suffer a condition that makes you unable to perform your work.

 Firefighters, police officers, corrections officers, teachers, custodians, and other public employees may be eligible for Accidental Disability Retirement if they become disabled due to an injury on the job. They may also be able to claim these benefits if they were exposed to a particular hazard on the job (such as chemicals, fumes, etc.) that causes them to suffer harm. A public employee must prove that he or she suffered the debilitating injury while performing his or her normal duties and without willful misconduct. There is no minimum age for early retirement benefits; however, certain public employees cannot receive early retirement benefits after reaching their maximum retirement age.

Firefighters, police officers, corrections officers, and other public employees who suffer a disabling injury or condition not related to their work may be eligible for Ordinary Disability Retirement benefits. A public employee must prove that he or she is permanently disabled from performing his or her work. There is no minimum age for early retirement benefits; however, certain public employees cannot receive early retirement benefits after reaching their maximum retirement age.

If you are injured while serving the state, county, or municipal government, it's important that you notify your retirement board and your employer within 90 days. It's also a good idea to have an attorney provide assistance if you encounter any trouble.

• Fewer Delays: If an injury renders you unable to work, you'll need an alternate source of income as quickly as possible. A lawyer who specializes in public employee retirement can minimize the number of mistakes on your paperwork, thus minimizing delays.
• Proper Filing for Better Results: If you file the documents and begin the process on your own and make any mistakes, they become very difficult to correct. Although there are methods of fixing mistakes, appealing a Retirement Board decision will take years.
• Better Chance of Success: If you aren't familiar with the details surrounding public employee retirement, you might struggle to obtain benefits. An experienced attorney can walk you through the process and help you negotiate with the state if necessary.