Court of Appeals Affirms Award of Temporary and Permanent Benefits
Catholic Health Initiatives v. Hunter , No. 14-0202 (Iowa App. Nov. 26, 2014) involved questions of causation, healing period benefits, permanency benefits and medical care. The Court of Appeals affirmed the commissioner's award of benefits. Claimant had systemic lupus and was receiving social security disability benefits, but returned to work after those benefits were terminated. She suffered a traumatic injury to her left wrist, hip and knee, and also complained of headaches as a part of this injury. Following this incident, claimant had a fall at home and visited the doctor following that fall. Claimant's symptoms had largely resolved when she slipped and fell again at work on March 3, 2010 (the earlier injuries were in 2009). She was placed on work restrictions following this fall. Claimant was offered light duty work during the day, but could not perform that work because of family obligations. No light duty work was available at night. ...