Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the defense attorney want my tax returns?

I am a physician in a 3 yr contract and have a better offer from another hospital 80miles away. I'm 1 yr into my contract with a no compete clause within a 50mile radius. The enity I work for has a network of clinics around the state including a primary care clinic 30 miles away from the other hospital, but I'm a specialist. What are the legal ramifications of breaking my contract? Could they use the no compete clause even though I'm not a primary care doctor? I'm willing to forward my contract. Thanks

My husband injured his back on the job two years ago. He was living in Iowa, the accident occurred in Illinois, and the company he worked for is located in Iowa. We have been dealing with Iowa work comp since then. He has changed jobs, but now is being told he needs to take three to four months off to let his back heal. Is he eligible for workers' compensation benefits in Iowa?

If I work, live and get dispatched out of different states how do I know in what state to file for workers' compensation benefits?

When does workmans comp start paying, from the first day missed or is there a waiting period of 3 days? Concerning a work related injury, that is...

My husband injured his back on the job two years ago. He was living in Florida, the accident occurred in Georgia, and the company he worked for is located in Ohio. We have been dealing with Ohio work comp since then. He has changed jobs, but now is being told he needs to take three to four months off to let his back heal. Is he eligible for family medical leave?

I just want to know that since I have been out of work for a year tomorrow. Can my employer let me go and if they do would the workmans' compensation stop?

How many days prior to hearing must opposing attorney provide exhibits in iowa?

My husband was involved in an auto accident while driving the co vehicle, the accident was not his fault. They made him do a post accident drug test and he failed. They fired him, but he is still under the doctors care from the accident. Is it legal to be fired until released?

I was buried in a man hole it was not up to osha regulations I have an attorney for my bodily injury but do not know about what to do about the company not following regulations and myself getting injured? I broke my collar bone and have had two surgeries. this is pretty much destroying my life since I can not work and am only getting 140.00 a week. i have lost a lot and new legal guidance

Was injured at work, can my employer take away my vacation hours banked up while I am on workers comp awaiting surgery for a broken heel for payments for health insurance plan?

How many days can an employer wait after an offense, to give you a write up?

I was told that I have to work the morning before my work comp surgery. I am not able to use paid time off for half of the day. Do I have to work on the day of my surgery?

My husband was injured in '07. He's about to be released from his surgeon's care with permanent disabilities and limitations on his right shoulder and neck. Our lawyer does not communicate well w/ us and has yet to file suit against the homeowner. Should this have been done already? We hired him last November. What is next for my husband? Should we get a new lawyer?

I work in a union factory. I was put on work comp for shoulder surgery recovery time is 3 to 6 months. One month after surgery I was laid off. I have my health insurance threw work. I was told I would still receive work comp benefits but my insurance would end. I thought that as long as you were on work comp that they could not cancel your insurance but could only make you pay the employees share until you were released by the doctor.

What are weekly indemnity payments in an Iowa workers’ compensation case?

Does the time I’m off of work have anything to do with the value of my workers’ compensation claim? 

I was hurt at work and may be facing back surgery.  Other staff that have been hurt at work and required surgery, they were made to use all their benefits (sick days and vacation days).  Can a workplace make you use all your benefits before workman's comp will pay you?

Under Iowa law can I pick the doctor who treats me in my workers' compensation case?

I fell on the ice at an apartment complex and received an injury to my head requiring a trip to the emergency room and 8 stitches.  I was there to pick someone up who was visiting a tenant.  I do not live there. Should my medical bills be something the apartment's insurance should cover. The landlord has been very uncooperative.

In what state am I entitled to benefits? I drive a truck for a living. I live in Iowa, they dispatch me out of Indiana and I wrecked the truck in Utah.

Is it alright to trust the insurance companies case manager?

Is the driver of a motor vehicle responsible for his/her passengers actions?

Recently, while behind a moving vehicle that had to stop quickly, my 16 year old daughter lightly hit the rear end of the vehicle. There appeared to be no damage to either vehicle but my daughter gave the other driver her name, phone number and insurance info. Later that day the driver called and said that after she washed her vehicle (a 2004 black Malibu) she found several scratches that she says has to be from my daughter barely hitting her. She now wants us to pay for the damage. She says she has an estimate of $350.00. What do you advise us to do?

After the car wreck should I talk with the other guy's insurance company? They seem nice enough, polite and say they want to help. What should I do?

How can a pedestrian avoid being hit by oncoming traffic?

As a pedestrian crossing the street what is the most important thing I can do to protect myself against being hit by a car, truck or motorcycle while?

In March of 2007 I was the victim of a hit and run. I was driving and was hit on the driver's side by a car going approximately 90 mph according to the police. My head hit the door post, my face broke out the door window, My car was spun around and slid on its side about a block before coming to rest. I remember very little of what followed. I was taken to hospital by ambulance on a backboard and wearing a collar. They paid little attention to me over the next 3 1/2 hours except for taking some xrays. Then they sent me home. When my family and friends objected to this (they were worried about my head) the staff refused to do a head CT and sent me home anyway. By the next day my head, face, neck, shoulder, arm, ribcage, etc was swollen and bruised. My balance was off and I was having trouble speaking and focusing. When the swelling went down I had a facial palsy along with misc other problems. I have seen approximately 17 different doctors, I've been to Mayo Clinic and U of Iowa hospital. I had a CT about a week after the accident and was told it was normal but many doctors have said I have skull fractures, lesions on my brain from bleeding, my brain is twisted in my skull, my cerrebellum is fallen and pushing on my brainstem. I may have fractures of my C1 and C2. My right vertebral artery isn't working right and my basilar artery is kinked. My symptoms include facial palsy, vision difficulties, my tounge goes numb, I stop salivating, I bite my lips and toungue due to loss of muscle control. I also have a headache on the left side only most of the time, if I look up or tilt my head back I pass out, my left arm is weak and I have loss of feeling on my entire right side. I can't think straight, I can't multi-task, my speech is affected and I drool on myself. My balance is off so I fall alot and am always bruised. Trying to compensate for my balance issues has caused my knees to dislocate. I get nauseous alot. They say that in addition to the nerve problems there is also a vascular component. I'm told I will be like this now for the rest of my life. I lost my job, I had to take out my pension and lost alot of it due to my age (52) and am now on Social Security disability. I have been told by doctors who failed to document it that I should have been hospitalized and put in a HALO. I had an unstable neck injury that is no longer fixable without killing me. None of the hospital records agree. The nurses contradict the doctor who contradicts the EMTs who brought me there. And the EMT report said the damage to my vehicle was minor but my vehicle was totaled and the police report said there was more than 5000 dollars worth of damage. I just found out last summer that the hospital refused to do a CT and that I only saw a doctor for a couple minutes all the time I was at the hospital. My memory is effected by my 'minor' brain injury. Do I have a case? Is it too late? The kids who hit me were gang members who were shooting at each other while driving. They have nothing and will always have nothing.

In your experience what are some of the causes of driver’s losing control cars and trucks on gravel roads in Iowa?

What should I bring with me to meet with the lawyer the first time we meet?  My case is a car accident.

If I am driving for my company and get in to a car accident while on the clock are they liable for damages? Also do I need employment law or auto law?

A 10yo boy thrown from a SUV in the early 1990's, breaks both legs and survives. What are the estimated damages for a seatbelt-failure suit? How can I research this case (in a state other than Iowa)? Thank you for for your consideration.

Our son is a full-time college student in Washington, and he is about to purchase car insurance. He is still a resident of Iowa, where my wife and I live. Would it be wise for our son and me to buy the car together and tag and title it in Iowa so we can put him on our umbrella policy? Or should he just get his own and stay off his parents' policy? The question is this: we claim him as a dependent on our income tax returns and are co-signers on his student loans, so would we be liable in the event of a car accident? If so, would we be ahead to put him on our policy where we have a $1.4 million umbrella rather than have our son take out a minimum liability policy of his own in Washington?

Auto, Truck and Motorcycle Safety: Why do car, truck and motorcycle accident cases take so long to conclude?

My wife commutes from an Iowa office to a South Dakota satellite office. Several employees drive together in a company owned vehicle. The girls randomly take turns driving. I'm wondering what the liability is for the driver in the event of an accident. Not only pertaining to damage to the company car but also to the other passengers, other vehicles and or property.

If my son breaks his hand and is admitted to the hospital for a "few" days, what are my options for time off work?

What are the legal consequences in altering a prescription prescribed by a doctor?

Police Brutality: My son was exercising visitation with his daughter; there were NO legal custody papers at the time. A sheriff deputy came to the house, told my son he had to give the child to the mother. Witnesses say my son didn't say a word but turned and walked back inside the house. As he turned to go back in the house the deputy grab him from behind, punched him 3 times, pushed his head onto a 4x4 post, threw him to the ground, handcuffed and arrested him.  I tried to get my son out of jail that night; I took 3 witnesses with me stating my son had done nothing wrong, he hadn’t even spoke a word. The jailer refused to release him until the next morning. I have pictures of some scratches and a black/blue eye. In the weeks that followed my son was charged with disorderly conduct which was later dismissed due to 'in the best interest of justice'. We file a complaint about the assault but the County Attorney did nothing with filing charges against the officer. Several months later the deputy was fired for aggressive behavior. Do we have a good case against the county? And how do we find a good attorney to take it?

Will the police conclusion of an accidental shooting preclude a civil action?

I was in a fight with a bouncer and arrested for assault and disorderly conduct. The assault was thrown out but now they're coming after me for restitution due to medical bills the 'victim' suffered, yet he was uninsured and didn't file a worker's comp claim. Am I responsible for this as it would've been covered under worker's comp in Iowa? How can pecuniary damages be determined if he didn't follow the victim's compensation fund's own criteria of being a source of last recourse to establish if I even owe a dime?

I let a friend take over payments on a pick-up i had we kept everything on my name. Now I can't find him and he is not making payments. What is my legal stand on this matter; please guide me the right way. I found out I can't report it stolen, and I don't know where he is to serve him with court papers.

What are some of the things I'll need to prove a car accident claim?

What is the difference between quadriplegia and paraplegia?

How do I know if I’m being overcharged for medical charges?

Is there a book or magazine article I can read to better understand what my spouse is experiencing?

How often do people suffer a brain injury?

I don’t think we need a lawyer at this point but we do need information about what to expect with my son’s brain injury. Where can I go for information?

My mother is severely over weight and I am 18 years old and i take care of her back in August of 2009 she told the doctor that she is unable to come up and see him and he kept treating her to take away her medication and in December 2009 we finally convinced him to come to our home and see her well since then he is now trying to force her to go to a nursing home after he told her it was her choice and she has told him she doesn't want to go she is satisfied with the care I provide her and now he is refusing to refill her medicine and threatening to turn me into DHS can he do this i need help bad.

I fell at work and had rotator cuff repair and was told by the Dr. if I injured it again it would not be repairable and then instructed to return to work the next day for light duty. The hospital told me I could take my PTO time for two weeks as they thought this was unreasonable instruction. What should I do? This happens a lot with this Doctor's office I feel this is unfair.

How can the doctor make the Iowa workers' compensation case easier?

As a physician what can I do to make everyone's job easier?

As the authorized treating physician how can I help the patient?

Is it legal to perform a tubal ligation without written consent?

Does OSHA require locking type snaphooks on pole strap systems used by linemen after 1 January 1998?

If I hit a Farmers Cow going down the road am I responsible?

I have a neighbor who has several dogs (over the legal limit for our state) and does not always keep them on a leash. I have made several complaints to "Animal Control" through our police department, but nothing ever gets done about this. I have to walk to the house next door to them to drop my baby off at the sitter. If one of their dogs attacks me do I have grounds to sue, and if so, who would I sue?

I fell in a manhole and the city of des moines and waterworks are fighting who will take the blame do i have a good case?

My daugher was at her uncles playing when her cousn fell on her arm breaking it. Our health insurance paid for everything but the noncovered and copays. Should of this not went through the homeowners insurance and not our health insurance?

I want to file a lawsuit claim on a dodge/ chrysler dealership for a major malfunction on their fault, but I really don't have the extra money to waste if I don't have a case. My husband and I own a 2005 dogde durrangoo and there was recently a safety recall for an oulet vavle/gas tank, the recall stated to take our durrangoo to the nearest chrysler dealership and have it check out at no cost and if it feel under the recall to have it fixed at no cost.

I make an appointment to have to looked at and sure enough the part that was under recall was bad. I make another appointment to have the gas tank replaced, i take it there and two hours later my husband and our 23 month old daughter and myself go to pick it up adn I noticed the smell of gasoline really strong didn't think anything of it because it just got a new gastank I just assumed thta it would smell of gasoline a little,anyway when we dropped off our durrangoo it had a 1/4 of a tank of gas in it when we picked it back up it had under an 1/8 of a tank of gaoline in it. I call the dealership and asked what their rules or regulations were on that type of situation the man that answered the phone said sorry but everyonne has left for the day call back in the morning. I said okay I will do so. Then we started off out of town towards home which is about 20 miles away and we got about ten miles out of town our durrangoo looses power and we have to pull to the side of the road. The lady that we had just pasted pulled over also and got out of her car and said that when we pasted her the smell of gas fumes coming from our truck was so strong that it started to make her sick to her stomach and that there was gasoline spraying out from under our durrangoo. My husband then calls the dealership back and the onwer anwered the phone my husband explained what had happened and the owner said that he could come get us (because we were on the side of the highway with our little girl and there was no shade it was 90 degrees out) and give us a car to drive, tow our durrangoo back to the dealership and see what the problem was. So about 15 or 20 minutes later the owner picks us up and takes us back to drop him off at the dealership and we head back out of town towards home. They had our durrangoo towed to the dealershiip and the next day my husband calls over to see what the problem was, and the dealership told was that the main gasoline line had wiggled loose because it wasn't connected to the new gas tank that they had just replaced. They fixed it we went back over to pick it up and they did put 1/4 of a tank of gaoline back in our gas tank and that was that. I think they should be held responsible for their actions, I know that the gas line just didn't wiggle loose they didn't take there time and double check their work they were in a hurry to get home for the day and so on and so forth. If any spark at all would of occured then my little girls and my husband and myself could of burst into flame and whom ever was driving in front of us or behind us, It is a bunch of crap and it was a total inconvince for us, that of easliy resulted in a very serious accident. Like I said I think something should be done someone should be hels accountable but I don't have the extra money to just be wasting on a lawyer if I don't really have a case, Can you please help me with some legal advise whether or not you think I have a case to build and win

If you belong to a club and besides dues they are assessing members $3,500. They say you can pay the assessment in 85 dollar monthly installments. If you quit the club in two years are you liable for the rest of the assessment?

Injury happens on your property -  A 15 yr old's father gave permission for his son to snowmobile @ our house and he wrecked my snowmobile after he had received instructions along with others. He caused around $10,000 in property damage and his father said to send him a bill, I don't want to but this boy was also hurt and had surgery on his hip. Am I liable?

What is an Interrogatory?

What is a deposition?

Do I have to attend the deposition?

On Jan. 6, 2010 I was checking my mail and then went to walk down the front steps leading to the sidewalk to get into my vehicle. My landlord had not shoveled snow or ice off the sidewalks or walkways all year. I fell going down the steps and broke my arm. The landlord said I need not pay Jan. rent for pain and suffering. I received a bill from the ambulance service and the landlord said I didn't need to pay this months rent(March. I told him I needed the name of his insurance company and he said he does not have insurance. He has stated to me that the next tenant that tries to sue him will be evicted. What should I do. I am on disability and would like some answers. It appears that I may need physical therapy. Any assistance you can provide will be appreciated.

Must we return a rental deposit if the property burned to the ground?

Since I have been a tenant, I have had the following issues with the unit:

-The refrigerator in my unit has never worked since I have moved in. I have not received a replacement fridge and it has been 4 months.

-I have had to purchase fuses for the fuse box

-The window in the kitchen and the window in the living room do not close and lock properly so therefore my electric bill has been expensive for the past month.

-The front door is not well insulated so the door leaks in cold air

-I have had to purchase my own door knob for the front door, because the old lock on the door was not working properly

-I have also had to scoop the units step, sidewalk, and portion of the driveway

-I am not even quite sure that the furnace has been through a recent inspection, along with a filter change

-I have had no hot water for the past 2 days

The landlord is aware of these items but have not done anything to fix the situation.

What would you reccommend doing about the situation?

My wife wants a seperation, i told her thats fine but im not leaving the house who has to leave?

Why in the first 10 days after an OWI arrest is it important to see an attorney?  Why are the first 10 days so important? What will I lose if I wait till day 11?

What happens during the first ten days after I've been arrested for drunk driving?

I was in a accident aug. 30th, 09.
I was the only one involved.
I was air flighted.
My alcohol level was .297, very high..
I completed a Intensive Care Treatment Program for Alcohol.
I was never charged or talked with anyone.
It is now 10 months later and I got a letter in the mail yesterday from the Iowa State Patrol stating they got the results from my urine specimen and they need to meet with me in person to complete the investigation and left a number for me to call.
What does this mean?
Is it normal to receive a letter in this way?
Should I get a lawyer before I call them?
How long do they have to charge me from the time of my accident?
This will be my 2nd OWI, my first was 5 years ago.
What am I looking at for charges and are there anyway that I can get them dropped?
I have 2 kids and need my license and to be home with them.
Any help would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks.

After the wreck the other driver admitted it was his fault, but now he's recanting! Can he do that?

Why is it important to tell my supervisor about being injured?

What do the lawyers mean when they talk about negligence? They also use the word "fault" and I'm not sure what that has to do with how much I'm going to recover.

Am I at fault if I crash into someone else while driving in dense fog? After all it isn't my fault, it was the fog!

If while driving under the speed limit, I rear-end someone in a rain storm will they consider me at fault for the accident? I've seen two PI lawyers who say the driver was at fault. What should I do?

My car was parked on a city street, and hit by another driver. The car was totaled, and I'm currently trying to deal with her insurance company. They won't give me the value of the car that I have asked for. They have given me a rental car for the meantime. Can they take it from me if we haven't settled? I was not in the car when it was hit, however, the accident caused several days of emotional distress. Is it possible to sue in small claims for this even though I was not physically injured? Thanks.

What does it mean if your case is hereby dismissed for want of prosecution, pursuant to R.C.P. 1.944?

My clients case involves the safety of a medial device. Can you direct me to where I might find relevant information about a particular medical device and whether it was known to have had problems similar to my client's case?

Ex-wife's lawyer subpoenaed my mother's bank account without notifying her or me three days before hearing. The bank honored the subpoena witch was just a fax cover letter with attorneys name. I had no lawyer, the court then appointed me a lawyer. Then rescheduled hearing for 2 and a half weeks latter. The next hearing her attorney dose not use my mothers subpoenaed account but instead shows up with my current wife's bank records again without notice to her or me or my lawyer. MY lawyer move to have it throne out judge allowed it but said both lawyers write a brief on the case show casing their point. My lawyer asked for relief based on violation of civil procedure. My lawyer said that she would be unable to pursue this case any further because being court appointed her job was done and even though the cases were related that it was a different case. My question is did my bank violate the right to financial privacy act by honoring a invalid subpoena? Can I sue her lawyer for civil procedure violation?

What is the procedure for serving a small claims court notice? Can a sheriff's deputy forcibly enter my house? Can they entrap me in my home by parking in my driveway so that I can not leave? Can they throw the notice at me and yell, "You've been served?"

Are secretly taped conversations admissable in a court of law?

My son was in a car accident and we settle for 3200. They are saying that they have to go to court so his money can be put into a special account until he is 18 which is nov this year. My question is the hospital is hurting my credit and they are saying that they cannot be pay until his settlement is over.

Why shouldn't I try and settle this car accident case without a lawyer?

I have a question...i was caught driving while barred inthe state of iowa and i was given a public defender and i had talked to her about what had happened and she worked with me on getting a plea bargan. Well as it turned out it had worke dand she talked to the prosecutor and ended up making a deal where i would pay a $625 fine and spend 5 days in jail. My sentenceing date was given to me and my lawyer told me that she would type up the paper work and and mail to me so i could sign it and write in the days that i wanted to go to jail. Well that never happened and i got a warrent out for my arrestand they got me and i spent 7 days in jail waiting for court. When i went to court and they just gave me the fine and gave me 7 days in jail time served, but because i was in jail i couldn't contact my job a tell them so i got fired. Later out i found out that my lawyer had gone to Florida on vaccation instead of doing the paper work. So my question is can i sue her for loss of job or anything or am i just screwed.

I live in South Carolina, and had my car towed by the city police for evidence in a crime. When I ask for my car to be returned will I have to pay the storage charges? Or will the city police foot the bill?

I was stopped at a driveway and pulled out onto a highway was struck by a car. Then charged with failure to yield. Should i fight the ticket?

Is a legal agreement binding? Does this vary state to state?

My son borrowed a friend’s bike and asked another friend to return it and his friend left the bike at a library, and it got stolen. Is my son who borrowed the bike, financially responsible?

I have a court order saying my ex is to pay me 300.00 a month he says he wont pay. I am unemployed and have little money what do I do. He says he will try to get full custody of our child if I go through with this. What are my options?

I hired a lawyer on a personal injury case signed contract. The lawyer wanted me to pay for medical reports. It’s supposed to be a contingency contract he also sent bill for deposition and other things. Is my case weak? And he doesn’t want to waste his money.

We sold my daughter's car in a private sale and now the buyer isn't paying. What can we do?

What is prejudice and how can I tell if I'm prejudiced?

What if my lawyer doesn’t return my phone calls or email questions?

What is a statute of limitations?

What is a Petition?