Advanced Wage Agreements offer to pay “advanced wages" to an injured seaman, in addition to the legal obligations to pay maintenance and cure, in exchange for the seaman agreeing to.
03/01/21
National Workers Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN)
Legal Update by Attorneys Alison Stewart, Nick Cooling, and Law Clerk Jordan GehlhaarThe Iowa Court of Appeals recently addressed workers compensation benefits, causation, and penalties inRegional Care Hospital Partners Inc. v. Marrs. Claimant Marrs injured her back and neck while working as a nurse and was diagnosed with thoracic and high-lumbar sprains. Four months following the accident she was released to return to light duty work. The employer did not offer light duty work and stopped payment of medical expenses and temporary benefits. The Claimant continued to have pain, which was attributed to a degenerative disc condition of the cervical spine. A cervical fusion procedure was recommended.Three doctors provided opinions on the work relatedness of Claimant Marrss condition. Doctor Abernathey concluded she reached MMI ( Maximum Medical Improvement) six months following the accident and the surgery was not work