Workers’ Compensation Legislation Advances

February 28, 2019

On Wednesday afternoon, the House Commerce Committee voted 15-8 to advance HSB 181, which is a bill that seeks to correct a recent Iowa Supreme Court case regarding idiopathic falls concerning workers’ compensation. The legislation, which was amended and passed with bipartisan support, makes clear that idiopathic or unexplained falls from a level surface onto the same level surface are not compensable under the workers’ compensation statute. The Iowa Association of Justice is undecided on the legislation, while organized labor is registered against the bill. A Senate subcommittee approved companion legislation on Thursday morning. For historical purposes, you can read the past ABI newsletter that talked about the Supreme Court case.