Recent Blog Posts
Can I See My Own Doctor If I’m Receiving Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
As a general rule, when you receive medical care for a job-related injury under workers’ compensation, your employer has the right to choose your doctors. There are, however, several exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you require emergency medical care and cannot immediately reach your employer, you are free to go to the… Read More »
Is an Iowa County Liable for Accidents Caused by Roadside Hazards?
If a private landowner places a hazard on their property that injured a third party, the victim typically may seek damages under the principles of premises liability. But what about hazards on land owned by the state or a municipality? In Iowa, the courts have long recognized a “public-duty doctrine,” which basically says that… Read More »
Is an Employer Responsible for an Auto Accident Caused by a Commuting Employee?
If you are seriously injured in an auto accident, you may be able to seek compensation against not only the negligent driver, but also their employer. Iowa courts generally permit such recovery under the legal principle of “respondeat superior,” which translates from Latin to mean “let the principal answer.” Basically, if the driver is… Read More »
Can I Receive Industrial Disability Benefits Even if My Doctor Claims I’m Fully Healed?
Many Iowa workers’ compensation claims involve short-term injuries where the employee is back at work within a few days or weeks. But if a workplace accident leaves you with an industrial disability–that is, a permanent injury to your “body as a whole”–you are legally entitled to permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. The exact level… Read More »
When Can I Discharge a Student Loan in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is designed to give Iowa debtors a “fresh start” by discharging their legal obligation to repay most of their unsecured debts. Unfortunately, one of the biggest sources of personal debt–student loans–enjoys special protections under federal bankruptcy law. As a general rule, a debtor cannot discharge a student loan unless they can… Read More »
How to Determine Liability in a Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accident injuries are often much more severe than injuries sustained in a regular car accident and may include burns, broken limbs, head injuries, and life-long disabilities. If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Southeast Iowa, you know better than most, the implications a single accident can have on your life. From… Read More »
Do You Still Have a Case if You Choose to Forego a Motorcycle Helmet?
Iowa is one of three states that does not have a motorcycle helmet law in place, and while many bikers celebrate this fact, it is a fact that can cause more harm than good. Helmets, like laws, are in place to protect people, and it is universally accepted that they are successful in their… Read More »
How to Determine What Your Iowa Car Accident Claim is Worth
If you were injured in a car accident in Southeast Iowa, you may be wondering if you can file a car accident claim for damages, and if so, how much your claim might be worth. Calculating a personal injury settlement is often a complex process, one that requires the insurance adjusters and possibly a… Read More »
What to do When You Cannot Make Payments on Your Chapter 13 Repayment Plan
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a debt relief method that allows a debtor to repay all or a portion of his or debt over a period of three to five years. Typically, a person chooses to file a Chapter 13 instead of Chapter 7 because he or she has enough disposable income to make monthly… Read More »
FAQs about Cycling Accident Personal Injury Claims
Cycling is a fabulous form of transportation. It gets you where you need to go, works out your muscles in the process, and is gentle on the environment. However, biking can be dangerous, especially when sharing the road with quick moving vehicles. If you were injured in a cycling accident that was caused by… Read More »
