Corydon, Iowa Worker Wins $100K + Lifetime Benefits

A truck driver from Corydon worked at a local manufacturing company for almost 10 years before he injured his back when he fell on some ice at work.  The company did very little to help him with medical care or treatment.  In fact, when he requested more medical care they sent him for an IME (independent medical examination) which was definitely not independent.  Their IME doctor said his back and leg problems were pre-existing even though he was having no problems before he fell at work.  The insurance company denied his claim based upon their IME doctor’s bogus findings and he was required to treat on his own.  He did go see a surgeon who recommended low back surgery which he did a few weeks later.  He was required to use his health insurance to get the medical care and treatment that he needed.  While he was off work following his back surgery, his employer decided to terminate his employment after he FMLA leave ran out.  He contacted our office and we immediately filed a petition for workers’ compensation benefits and obtained a trial date.  At trial we were able to prove not only that his back problems were work related, but that he was no longer able to be competitively employed.  The judge ordered the defendants to pay back benefits and a weekly check of more than $1,000 per week for the rest of his life.  The defendants appealed, but the decision was affirmed and they had to pay.  Our client was able to catch up on his bills with a lump-sum check of more than $100,000 and now has the peace of mind that he will receive a weekly check for the rest of his life.