Court of Appeals Affirms Denial of Alternate Medical Care
In Westling v. Hormel Foods Corporation, No. 16-0236 (Iowa App. Jan. 11, 2017), the Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the deputy denying claimant treatment for his right knee. The authorized provider had indicated that claimant wait until he had "more trouble" before considering revision of claimant's total knee replacement. The deputy concluded that claimant failed to show the services provided by the doctor were unreasonable. Claimant had originally seen Dr. Crane, but following one of his surgeries, he developed a DVT and opted to have knee replacement surgery with Dr. Wolbrink. When he began to have further difficulties, he sought treatment with Dr. Alvine, but the employer instead approved care with Dr. Crane again. Dr. Crane evaluated claimant's knee (claimant alleged this took only five minutes), concluded that a revision of the total knee surgery was not necessary and indicated that claimant should wait. Claimant expressed dissatisfaction...