• posted: Aug. 05, 2013
• jhart

In a cause of action brought to recover damages arising out of the ownership or operation of a motor vehicle, the failure to wear a seatbelt or safety harness by Read More

• posted: Jul. 22, 2013
• jhart

In Iowa, there are three types of spousal support that the court can award: traditional support, rehabilitative support, or reimbursement support. Traditional support is long-term, sometimes permanent, and is meant Read More

• posted: Jul. 10, 2013
• jhart

In recent years, legislatures across the country have been faced with a rising call for change in alimony laws. Approximately 420,000 Americans receive some type of alimony, but, increasingly, both Read More

• posted: Jun. 18, 2013
• jhart

Iowa Code Section 85.33(3) directs that if an employee is temporarily or partially disabled and the employer offers him suitable work consistent with the employee’s disability, the employee must accept Read More

• posted: Jun. 03, 2013
• jhart

The Iowa Supreme Court stated in Thompson v. Kaczinski, 774 N.W.2d 829 (Iowa 2009) (hereinafter Thompson), that “the general duty of reasonable care [for negligence] will apply in most cases, Read More

• posted: Feb. 01, 2013
• jhart

On February 1, 2013, the Iowa Supreme Court entered its opinion in the case of Boelman v. Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. (No. 11-0570).  Boelman was a farmer whose operations included Read More

• posted: Nov. 14, 2012
• jhart

Cozad v. Russell Corporation; File Number 5015753 (7/26/12): 41 yr. old high school graduate with some community college classes; prior work experience includes food service, road construction, press operator, clerical, Read More

• posted: Nov. 09, 2012
• jhart

Cummings v. Care Initiatives; File Numbers 5036558; 5036559 (8/10/12): 32 yr. old high school graduate; CNA certificate; prior work experience included daycare, management, factory work; worked for the nursing home Read More

• posted: Oct. 12, 2012
• jhart

Patterson Law Firm is proud to be a supporter of the Des Moines Playhouse by being a corporate sponsor of the Hollywood Halloween event.  Reserve your tickets today to join Read More

• posted: Oct. 01, 2012
• jhart

Healing periods are no longer limited to one-per-injury. The Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling in Waldinger Corp. v. Mettler earlier this summer expanded the possibility of healing periods and an employer’s Read More

• posted: Sep. 10, 2012
• jhart

On April 25, 2012, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released an enforcement guideline addressing the consideration of arrest and conviction records in employment decisions. The guidance document, Read More

• posted: Sep. 10, 2012
• jhart

On August 23, 2012, a jury returned a defense verdict in the case of Lynn Worrell v. Aristotle Pappajohn, LACV072470.  The Plaintiff’s foot was crushed by Defendant’s vehicle in the Read More

• posted: Aug. 06, 2012
• jhart

How do you put a dollar amount on that alleged gnawing ache or lingering burning sensation someone has after being the victim of a defendant’s negligence?  Is a multiple of Read More

• posted: Jul. 06, 2012
• jhart

It seems like a fairly easy concept … if an employer and carrier pay more benefits than what is statutorily required in a workers’ compensation claim, then they get a Read More