Recent Blog Posts
The Consequences of Lying in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case
Many Iowa residents are forced to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy because they are faced with a large civil judgment they simply cannot pay. While a bankruptcy court can discharge such a debt, it is imperative that the debtor not try to mislead the judge, the bankruptcy trustee, or their own creditors. Bankruptcy requires… Read More »
Iowa Court of Appeals Upholds $127 Million Personal Injury Verdict
Most personal injury claims are the result of reckless or negligent behavior. But sometimes, personal injury cases are the result of criminal activity. While the criminal justice system focuses on punishing the offender and protecting the public at-large, a civil lawsuit provides victims with the ability to seek compensation directly from their attackers. Defendant… Read More »
Can I Discharge a Co-Signed Student Loan Debt in Bankruptcy?
Some debts cannot be discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. One of the better-known categories of non-dischargeable debt is student loans. But in fact, it is not impossible to discharge student loan debt. An Iowa bankruptcy court may grant a discharge if forcing the debtor to continue paying the loan would impose an “undue hardship.”… Read More »
Does Signing an Employment Application Mean I’m Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
A critical feature of workers’ compensation in Iowa is that it provides an “exclusive remedy” to a worker injured on the job. Here is what this means in practice. Normally, when you are hurt due to someone else’s negligence you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. But with a work-related injury,… Read More »
Sorting Out Liability for a Multi-Car Highway Accident
When more than two vehicles are involved in an auto accident, it can be difficult to sort out legal liability. In the case of a chain-reaction accident–e.g., Driver A rear-ends Driver B, which causes Driver B to hit Driver C–the first driver in the chain (Driver A) can be held responsible to damages sustained… Read More »
Iowa Supreme Court Clarifies Rules for “Idiopathic” Falls and Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation covers injuries that arise “out of and in the course of employment.” Let’s say you fall off a ladder while performing some maintenance work at your employer’s office. That would clearly be an injury arising out of and in the course of your employment, so your employer would owe you workers’ compensation… Read More »
Will Missing Financial Records Hurt My Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is designed to give Iowa debtors a “fresh start” by discharging their legal obligation to pay certain pre-bankruptcy debts. But a federal bankruptcy judge may refuse to grant a discharge if the debtor fails to follow the law. For example, the Bankruptcy Code states a debtor is not entitled to a… Read More »
Can I Have Multiple Employers for Purposes of Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is considered the “exclusive remedy” under Iowa law for employees to seek compensation from their employers for a work-related injury. In other words, you cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against your company if you are already receiving workers’ compensation benefits. The law is designed to guarantee employees receive medical and wage… Read More »
Proving Negligence for a Fatal Car Accident
Losing a child in an auto accident is a parent’s worst nightmare. It is therefore understandable that the grieving parents want to hold a negligent driver responsible. But it’s important to understand that it is evidence, not grief, that decides a personal injury lawsuit in Iowa. And even when the victim is no longer… Read More »
Does Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Mean I Get to Keep My House?
Perhaps the most common question we get about bankruptcy is, “Can I still keep my house?” The answer to this depends on a number of factors. For example, if you have a mortgage and are behind on your payments, filing for bankruptcy will temporarily halt any foreclosure action. And with a Chapter 13 bankruptcy,… Read More »
