Hersl v. Fire & Police Employees' Retirement System

# Hersl v. Fire & Police Employees' Retirement System **What Happened** Hersl, a fire and police employee, applied for disability retirement benefits claiming his condition was caused by work-related injuries. He argued he was permanently and totally disabled and entitled to special benefits reserved for line-of-duty disabilities. The retirement system disagreed, saying his disability came from a heart condition unrelated to his work. **What the Court Decided** The court sided with the retirement system. A hearing examiner reviewed the evidence and concluded Hersl's permanent disability resulted from a non-work-related heart condition, not from injuries suffered on the job. Both the circuit court and appeals court agreed with this decision, rejecting Hersl's claim for line-of-duty disability benefits. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case shows that workers claiming disability benefits must prove their condition was actually caused by work. Simply being disabled isn't enough—they must demonstrate a direct connection between their job duties and their medical condition. Courts examine medical evidence carefully to determine the true cause of disability before awarding work-related benefits.