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According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, slips and trips made up 16% of total workplace fatalities in the state of Iowa in 2021. Construction is also the occupation with the second-highest fatality rate. Understanding Iowa's construction site regulations requires a detailed look at various safety standards and rules. In Iowa, construction companies must follow specific guidelines set…
Annually, the Iowa Department of Transportation releases data regarding bicycle crashes, including the count of fatalities. In the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, the state witnessed no fewer than ten fatal incidents each year. In contrast, the previous year saw a decrease in fatalities, with only three deaths reported. Fortunately, as of May 2023 there were no fatalities from bicycle…
The wind turbine manufacturer TPI Composites has been sued for gross negligence, breach of contract and fraud by a group of five employees for personal injuries they incurred at their Newton factory. The employees allege the chemical resin they applied to the turbine blades caused a severe skin condition and requests for more protective gear were denied. They employees also…
In December 2022, Iowa officials settled with the family of Iowa State University student Derek Nanni, who tragically drowned during a rowing club practice on Little Wall Lake the previous year. The family had sued the Iowa Department of Management for wrongful death and were awarded $2 million. The parents of another student, Yaakov Ben-David, who also died in the…
A personal injury settlement in Iowa is an agreement reached between two parties: the person who's been injured, known as the plaintiff, and the person or entity responsible for the injury, often an insurance company, known as the defendant. The settlement represents a specific sum of money the defendant pays to the plaintiff to resolve the claim without going to…
Understanding personal injury laws is an important first step in filing a claim. Too often, people proceed without a clear understanding of the rules and procedures. Personal injury laws in Iowa provide a framework for assessing liability and determining compensation. A fundamental comprehension of these laws can help identify valid claims, calculate potential damages, and anticipate the legal process. Think…
Texas Roadhouse, a restaurant in Cedar Falls, is known for its practice of serving free buckets of peanuts and allowing patrons to discard the shells on the floor. However, this wholesome gimmick turned out badly when an Iowa man filed a lawsuit in federal court after slipping and shattering his knee. The incident occurred in February 2015 when the man…
Who can file a suit, what damages are available, and how liability is established when negligence leads to death? Damage Types Type Compensates For Example Purpose Economic Financial losses Lost income, medical/funeral costs Provide financial stability to dependents Non-economic Intangible losses Pain/suffering, loss of companionship Acknowledge the depth of loss Punitive Egregious behavior by the defendant When actions show disregard…
In July 2022, a construction worker was badly injured when a skid loader backed over his legs while he was working on a road cul-de-sac project in Mitchellville. Fortunately, the worker survived, but needed extensive treatment, resulting in substantial medical costs. Since the employee was injured while on the job, who is responsible for his injuries? Understanding construction laws and…
In August 2022, a 51-year-old Des Moines firefighter, Randy Hartley, brought a lawsuit against Panda Express, stating he consumed broken glass pieces in his meal, accusing the California-based fast food chain of negligence in a U.S. District Court lawsuit. According to Hartley, he visited a Panda Express branch in West Des Moines on Jan. 27 and bit into a piece…
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