Last session, the Minnesota legislature finally passed and Governor Dayton signed into law, a provision that increases some of the benefits available to victims of car crashes here in Minnesota. This was a long overdue increase to wage loss and funeral expense benefits under Minnesota No-Fault Act. Minnesotans injured in car accidents have had, since the No-Fault Act was first created 40 years ago, the right to 85{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of any wage loss or income reduction due to injuries suffered in a car crash. However, for the last 30 years, that has been limited to a maximum of $250 a week. As a result, most wage earners could not survive long on $250 a week. The No-Fault Act also provided $2,000 for families who had to pay the expenses of burying a loved one who was killed in a car crash. The new law increases the maximum wage loss benefit to $500 a week. Additionally, the funeral expenses have been increased to $5,000 (which is still much less than the typical funeral cost of $8,000 – $10,000). These new benefit amounts became effective January 1, 2015, for any collision occurring after that date or for any policies renewed after January 1, 2015. It is our position that this would apply to people that were…
Read MoreThe law firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen held its annual meeting March 28th, 2015 at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids. The meeting included a presentation by President William F. Huefner and reports from the Practice Group Managers. The shareholders at Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. reelected William F. Huefner as President and Jeffrey S. Johnson as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Reelected to officer positions within the Board of Directors were Charles M. Seykora as Treasurer and Bradley A. Kletscher as Secretary. Joan M. Quade and Charles M. Seykora were also reelected to the Board of Directors for another three year term. Newly appointed as a Practice Group Manager was Russell H. Crowder (Consumer). Reelected as Practice Group managers were Michael F. Hurley (Real Estate/Corporate) and Joan M. Quade (Litigation/Municipal). The firm looks forward to a very successful year as it plans to continue efforts to grow and serve the community it has served since 1938. The firm also congratulates these attorneys on their achievements.
Read MoreSaturday, November 8, 2014, marked the Eighth Annual Lanes for Friendship, a fundraising event for the Highland Friendship Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in St. Paul (“HFC”). Lanes for Friendship was held at Brunswick Zone XL in Lakeville and featured the Minnesota Twins’ Joe Mauer and other special guests. The event includes a silent auction, bowling, door prizes, a lane where you can win prizes from Chipotle, a VIP area and luncheon for certain sponsorship levels, food and fun! Bowling teams consist of 4 team members (selected by the team sponsor), one HFC member, and a special guest. Besides Joe Mauer, special guests included Minnesota Twins’ Manager Paul Molitor, Golden Gopher Baseball Head Coach John Anderson, members of the Golden Gopher Baseball Team, retired MLB umpire Tim Tschida, Minnesota Twins’ minor league manager Jake Mauer, Cincinnati Reds’ player Jack Hannahan, KARE 11 personality Eric Perkins, and many others. HFC was founded in 2002 by two parents who wanted to offer young adults with disabilities the opportunity to spend time with their friends, lean social skills, try new things, and more importantly, have fun! Today, more than 200 young adults with disabilities are active members and participate in art, swimming, cooking, fitness and music classes in addition to other weekly fun activities designed especially…
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