Ruth M. Harvey

ruthharveyRuth received her law degree from the University of Minnesota and has been helping injured and disabled clients since 1980. Sometimes your injury or disability could involve more than one area of law and Ruth knows how these work together. She knows what steps need to be taken to make sure your rights are not endangered.

She is active in the Minnesota State Bar Association and past chair of the Civil Litigation Section. Ruth has published articles in professional journals, including helping a committee rewrite Minnesota Jury Instructions for Civil Trials. In our community, Ruth served on and chaired the United Way Board; was a member of the YWCA Board of Directors and Trustees; and served on the Boy Scouts Twin Valley Council. In 2004 she received the “Woman of Distinction” award from the YWCA. She practices in the following areas of law:

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION:

  • Injured at Work
  • Denied Benefits

SOCIAL SECURITY:

  • Social Security Disability Applications
  • Social Security Disability Appeals

PERSONAL INJURY:

  • Car Accident
  • Slip and Fall
  • Wrongful Death

NOTEWORTHY CASES:

  • Special Needs Trust (see below – this is workers’ comp-related)
  • 25% More In Social Security Obtained (see below)

Special Needs Trust Case

Ruth Harvey secured a sizeable settlement for a client on Medical Assistance and Bob Chesley was able to protect the proceeds with a Special Needs Trust. Although the trust was challenged by the Department of Human Services, Bob was successful in protecting the trust in court.

The result of this workers’ compensation case is a much-improved quality of life for our client in that she now can get better and receive more care in her nursing home while still qualifying for Medical Assistance. She now has access to more frequent baths and she is able to be in a larger room with a more accessible bathroom.

She also has cable TV and can get personal services such as having her hair washed and styled.  Although she couldn’t take her dog to the nursing home she is able to have the dog visit her with the care for her dog being funded from the trust.

25% More in Social Security

Ruth Harvey has represented a number of clients receiving reduced Social Security retirement (beginning as early as age 62) in order to get them qualified for Social Security disability. The result is that they now receive roughly 25% more in Social Security than the age 62 benefit and will for the remainder of their lifetimes rather than if they would have accepted the early retirement amount.