Personal Injury, Property Damage, and Worker's Compensation

The aftermath of a serious injury may affect many aspects of one's life. In addition to physical pain and disability, an injured person often faces loss of income and staggering medical bills, not to mention disruptions to daily life and a myriad of emotional consequences.

When the injury was caused by another party, our legal system provides a mechanism for victims to recover damages for their injuries. At Nazette, Marner, Nathanson & Shea, LLP, our attorneys support clients through the difficult process of pursuing financial damages for personal injury. While we recognize that no amount of compensation can replace lost health or a lost loved one, we work diligently to see that our clients are made as whole as possible by the legal process.

Evaluation and Preparation of Personal Injury and Property Damage Cases

We offer clients thorough and candid evaluations of their cases, including strengths and weaknesses. If there is merit to pursuing a recovery, we apprise clients of the steps in the legal process so they are aware of what to expect. We are familiar with many types of injury and property damage cases and their effects, enabling us to help our clients anticipate the short- and long-term needs they may have. Our attorneys work to help clients identify their goal for the legal process, be it a swift, reasonable settlement or the highest possible award of damages at trial. With the client's goal in mind, our attorneys diligently prepare the case.

Though many personal injury and property damage cases settle, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial. Our attorneys and staff pride themselves on attention to detail. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of each injury, diligently gather evidence, and carefully interview witnesses. Our meticulous preparation of every case contributes not only to a strong record of success at trial, but to more favorable settlement offers from opposing parties prior to trial.

We know that our clients rely on us not only for our legal expertise, but for our compassion and support at a time of personal and financial difficulty. We regularly represent clients in the following types of cases:

• Auto, truck and motorcycle accidents
• Wrongful deaths
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Premises liability injuries
• Medical malpractice
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Permanent disability injuries
• Dog bites
• Product liability and defective product injuries
• Construction site accidents
• Crime victim injuries
• Most other injury accidents caused by negligence
• All types of property damages cases

Worker’s Compensation Cases

For those individuals injured as a result of a workplace accident, benefits may be available through Iowa's Worker Compensation program. An injured party may qualify for these benefits regardless of whose fault led to the injury. Workers with certain repetitive stress injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic back pain may also be eligible for Worker's Compensation benefits. Our attorneys are available to help workers prepare and file claims and to expedite the payment of benefits.

All Iowa employers are required to carry Worker's Compensation insurance for their employees' benefit. It is illegal for an employer to attempt to avoid paying benefits by firing an employee who was injured on the job or who has filed a claim for Worker's Compensation. Even so, some employers do take measures to make it more difficult for injured employees to claim benefits.

Often, the assistance of knowledgeable legal counsel is necessary to facilitate the payment of benefits to which an injured worker is entitled.  We are pleased to offer our services to injured workers who believe they have been improperly denied benefits, or who are being paid less than the amount they deserve.

We have assisted many employees in securing Worker's Compensation for the following types of injuries:

• Loss of limb
• Lacerations
• Broken bones
• Chronic or acute back pain or joint pain
• Carpel tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries
• Damage to the spine, neck or head
• Inhalation of fumes, gases or intoxicants
• Denied injury claims
• Wage benefits
• Permanency benefits

Property Damage Cases

In addition to helping clients recover compensation for personal injuries, we also pursue recovery for property damage by another party. This includes damage to:

• Automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and trailers
• House
• Garages, barns and outbuildings
• Commercial property
• Rental property
• Business and production equipment