Meyers & Flowers win Carpentersville settlement
A critical victory was secured for a Carpentersville Police officer, represented by Meyers & Flowers, along with all police officers and firefighters in the State of Illinois. The Second District Appellate Court issued its opinion in the consolidated cases of Cecala v. Village of Carpentersville and Springborn v. Village of Sugar Grove. In both cases, the plaintiffs were awarded line-of-duty disability pension benefits as the result of career ending injuries incurred while clearing roadway obstructions in the course of police duties. Turning their backs on the injured officers and their families, the municipalities subsequently denied the plaintiffs’ claims for health insurance benefits pursuant to the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (“PSEBA”). Ryan Theriault, a partner at Meyers & Flowers, filed suit in the Circuit Court of Kane County. The trial court granted the plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment and held that the plaintiffs were entitled to PSEBA benefits and that the municipalities were wrong in their denial of benefits. The appellate court affirmed. The appellate court concluded that the evidence demonstrated that each officer reasonably believed that he was responding to an emergency and that each officer’s belief was reasonable – thereby bringing them within the protections offered by PSEBA.
“This is a win for all police officers and firefighters who have or who may be injured in the line of duty as the result of their dedicated service to the municipality and the public,” said Theriault. “This decision will guarantee the benefits under PSEBA for the injured officers, firefighters and their families that will protect their well-being.”