RECAP ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO IOWA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWS DURING THE 89TH AND 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLIES

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Mar 13, 2023 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Each year, Baylor Evnen Wolfe & Tannehill, LLP actively monitors and reports regarding workers’ compensation legislation that impacts our clients.  With the 89th General Assembly now closed, we want to provide our clients with a recap of the workers’ compensation legislation that was proposed and the bills’ current status. In addition, several workers’ compensation bills […]

SHOULDER INJURIES DO NOT TRIGGER SECOND INJURY FUND LIABILITY IN IOWA

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Mar 12, 2023 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In West v. Second Injury Fund of Iowa, the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner affirmed that a shoulder injury does not trigger Second Injury Fund liability under Section 85.64. Section 85.64 of the Iowa Code provides that three requirements must be met in order to trigger liability of the Fund. First, the employee must have lost […]

EMPLOYEE IS COMPENSATED INDUSTRIALLY UNDER SECTION 85.34(2)(v)

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Oct 5, 2022 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Ocampo v. New Fashion Pork, LLP, an Iowa Workers’ Compensation Deputy Commissioner provided guidance on whether an employee’s permanent disability should be determined through a refiling proceeding. In Ocampo, the employee returned to work for the employer, but was subsequently discharged before his workers’ compensation hearing. He then obtained new employment at a lower […]

DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS CONTINUE TO FOLLOW COMMISSIONER’S GUIDANCE IN MARTINEZ V. PAVLICH DESPITE ITS OVERRULING IN POLK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Sep 29, 2022 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

There has been much talk regarding an Iowa district court’s reversal of the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner’s finding in Martinez v. Pavlich.  The Commissioner determined that an injured claimant must be compensated based on earning capacity when the claimant voluntarily resigns and begins working for a new employer.  While a district court reversed that decision on […]

CONTINUED GUIDANCE CONCERNING WHEN AN IME IS REIMBURSABLE UNDER 85.39

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

In Bior v. Hormel, the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner provided an example of how employees could still receive reimbursement for their IME even while failing to prove their injury was work-related. Section 85.39 of the Iowa Code provides that employees are entitled to an IME with a physician of their own choosing after an employer-retained […]

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 […]