NWCDN Members regularly post articles and summary judgements in workers’ compensations law in your state.
Select a state from the dropdown menu below to scroll through the state specific archives for updates and opinions on various workers’ compensation laws in your state.
Contact information for NWCDN members is also located on the state specific links in the event you have additional questions or your company is seeking a workers’ compensation lawyer in your state.
Legal Update by Attorney Marshall Tuttle and Law Clerk Jordan Gehlhaar
Iowa Uniform Jury Instruction 200.34 is titled “Previous Infirm Condition” and reads:
If plaintiff had [a] condition making [them] more susceptible to injury than a person in normal health, then the defendant is responsible for all injuries and damages which are experienced by plaintiff that are caused by defendant's actions, even though the injuries claimed produce a greater injury than those which might have been experienced by a normal person under the same circumstances.
This is known as the “Eggshell Plaintiff Rule.” It originates from the idea that some victims have an “eggshell-thin” skull which results in abnormally excessive damage. The rule requires the person causing the injury to be liable for all damage, even though most people would not experience the same effects or require the same treatment. It applies in personal injury cases where the victim is more susceptible to injury because of their pre-existing condition. For example, if you’re involved in a minor car accident and the other driver has osteoporosis or heart disease, you are still liable for their substantial medical care even if a “healthier” person would not have required care. Therefore, this rule can make damages—such past and future medical expenses—much higher.
The Iowa Supreme Court recently discussed this instruction in Mengwasser v. Comito and Capital Fruit Company. The plaintiff in that case was rear-ended by a vehicle traveling approximately five miles per hour; the airbags did not deploy. She requested an eggshell plaintiff instruction under the theory that degenerative disk disease in her neck made her more susceptible to injury. The trial court denied this instruction and she appealed. The appellate court affirmed, finding the plaintiff had only proven she aggravated a previous injury, which is not the same as proof of a greater susceptibility to injury.
For this instruction to apply, the plaintiff must request it prior to
trial. Additionally, there must be evidence showing that prior to the
injury, a condition made them more vulnerable or prone to injury than a
person of average health. This can be determined through medical
records, discovery responses, and correspondence with opposing counsel.
If you'd like to sign up for our e-newsletter, please click here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. This disclosure is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Iowa.
Peddicord Wharton Legal Updates are intended to provide information on current developments in legislation impacting our clients. Readers should not rely solely upon this information as legal advice. Peddicord Wharton attorneys would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about this update. ©2022 Peddicord Wharton. All Rights Reserved.