ONLY PREPARATION COSTS OF REPORT ARE REIMBURSABLE WHEN 85.39 IME DATED SAME DATE AS EMPLOYER’S IME

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Aug 25, 2022 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Swanson v. Pella Corp., an Iowa Workers’ Compensation Deputy Commissioner provided guidance on whether an employee-requested independent medical examination (IME) is reimbursable when both the employee’s and employer’s IMEs are dated the same date. Section 85.39 of the Iowa Code provides that employees are entitled to an IME with a physician of their own […]

REPLACEMENT RECLINERS IN IOWA ARE DEEMED APPLIANCES

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Aug 12, 2022 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Evilsizor v. Northern Ag Services, Inc. provides an example of how an employee did not meet his burden of proof when petitioning for alternate care. Section 85.27(4) of the Iowa Code provides that an employer has the right to choose a provider of care to treat the injured employee. The section also requires the employer […]

COMMISSIONER ORDERS ALL HEARINGS TO TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY IN PERPETUITY

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Aug 12, 2022 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

On August 11, 2022, the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner, Joseph S. Cortese II, issued an administrative order making all hearings virtual for the foreseeable future. Beginning October 29, 2022, all currently-scheduled hearings in contested cases before the Division will be held by “internet-based video,” unless the Division grants a motion for an in-person hearing. Any […]

IA MEDICAL INSURANCE OPT-OUT PAYMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE CALCULATION

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Aug 3, 2022 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Markley v. J. Rettenmaier USA LP, the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner affirmed a Deputy Commissioner’s determination that employer-provided medical insurance opt-out payments should be included in an injured employee’s average weekly wage calculation. Section 85.36 of the Iowa Code provides that the basis of compensation for an employee’s injury is the employee’s weekly earnings […]

IOWA DEPUTY COMMISSIONER PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON COMPENSABILITY WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS INJURED WHILE VIOLATING EMPLOYER’S POLICIES

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Jul 28, 2022 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Goede v. US Xpress, Inc. provides an example on how an injured employee could still receive workers’ compensation benefits even though the employee’s injury resulted from violations of the employer’s company policies. In some circumstances, an employee may be barred by statute from receiving workers compensation benefits if the employee’s injuries arose out of a […]

NEW GUIDANCE IN IOWA INCLUDES FREQUENT “ZERO” WEEKLY EARNINGS IN AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE CALCULATION

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Jul 27, 2022 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Lutz v. Consolidated Refrigerated Services, an Iowa Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner provided guidance on how to calculate an employee’s average weekly wage when that employee frequently submits pay logs with “zero” weekly earnings due to an irregular pay schedule. Section 85.36 of the Iowa Code provides that the basis of compensation for an employee’s […]