Lee Christenson shot and killed Thomas Bortvit on a farm owned by Roger Christenson, Lee’s uncle, and Donald Christenson, Lee’s grandfather. Bortvit’s parents sued Roger and Donald, asserting that they had failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the property from being used for the purpose of firing loaded pistols by unsupervised persons under the […]
During the COVID pandemic in late August 2020, Governor Reynolds issued a public health disaster proclamation that temporarily required bars and taverns in six counties to close their doors. Six of those establishments filed a suit seeking an injunction that would block the proclamation on grounds it exceeded her statutory and constitutional authority. After the […]
On February 11, 2022, the Iowa Supreme Court entered an order ending the mask mandate in courtrooms across the state. Individuals entering court-controlled areas are no longer required to wear face coverings. However, judges retain the discretion to require face coverings in their courtroom. To read the Iowa Supreme Court’s Order in its entirety see: […]
Mark Thomas has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America. The induction ceremony was held recently before an audience of approximately 600 during the recent Spring Meeting of the College in Coronado, California. Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best […]
This medical malpractice action arises from a stroke the plaintiff experienced following a surgery performed by Dr. Otoadese. After the plaintiff suffered the stroke, he was seen by Dr. Bekavac for a second opinion regarding his condition and whether he would have recommended the initial surgery. Dr. Bekavac also asked Dr. Halloran for his opinion […]
The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an amended Order In the Matter of Ongoing Provisions for Coronavirus/Covid-19 Impact on Court Services. The amended Order went into effect on January 1, 2022. Pursuant to the amended Order, face masks are still required when entering court-controlled spaces throughout the state, regardless of the individual’s vaccination status […]
Laura Martino obtained a directed verdict on behalf of her client, Menards, Inc., in a premises liability action in the Northern District of Iowa. The case arose from a premises liability claim in which the plaintiff alleged that she was injured when a stack of boxes fell on her foot while she was shopping at […]
After injuring his right hand at work, claimant filed a workers’ compensation action against his employer, seeking healing period benefits after he was placed at maximum medical improvement (MMI) by an authorized doctor. He also sought penalty benefits for the employer’s failure to pay benefits after he reached MMI through the arbitration hearing. Following an […]
Pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.19(3), after an Application for Rehearing has been denied or deemed denied, a party has 30 days to file a Petition for Judicial Review. See Iowa Code section 17A.19(3). An Application for Rehearing is deemed denied if the workers’ compensation commission does not act upon it within 20 days. See […]
The Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commission has issued an updated Order extending the suspension of all in-person regular contested hearings before the agency from January 31, 2022, through April 29, 2022. Regular contested hearings that were scheduled to occur during that period will be conducted via internet-based video unless the parties timely file a motion to continue. […]
