With so many people finding work opportunities in the gig economy, there may be some questions regarding their classification – employee or independent contractor? The distinction boils down to an employer’s obligation to provide workers’ compensation, unemployment, overtime and other work benefits to an ’employee’ which are not extended to an independent contractor. Already there… Read More »
Fear of Retaliation – Unreported Work Injuries
A complaint about employer retaliation posted on the Des Moines Register’s Readers Watchdog in November has shaken things up at Des Moines Public Works. The tip posted by an unnamed employee said workers were not reporting on-the-job injuries for fear of being ‘written up’ prompting an investigation by Iowa OSHA. Research reveals that work place… Read More »
Pedestrian Car Accident Fatalities Up
The number of pedestrian fatalities in traffic accidents have risen sharply in states that have legalized recreational marijuana compared to a decline in states that have not. Although a cause and effect link has not been firmly establish yet, a worrisome correlation is staring to appear. While population growth and the use of distracting technologies… Read More »
Fatal Car Crashes Linked to Drugged Driving
New Years, the Super Bowl, and more recently, marijuana users’ self-proclaimed holiday, 4/20 Day, all appear to be associated with increases in traffic fatalities. Risks that have long been linked to alcohol and driving on Super Bowl Sunday and New Year’s Eve are now associated with impaired driving on April 20th, aka 420 (four-twenty) Day,… Read More »
Ignition Interlock Devices Deter Drunk Driving
Utilization of ignition interlock devices have become fairly widespread across the country to curb drunk driving. IID’s function as an onboard breathalyzer, preventing a car from starting if the driver is impaired. In many states the requirement to install an IID starts with a conviction an OWI second offense, a grossly elevated blood alcohol content… Read More »
Iowa Dram Shop Law
In a letter to the editor of the Des Moines Register, one reader rings in on proposed changes to Iowa’s dram shop law (SF 1179/HSB 594), which seeks to limit compensation to victims of drunk drivers. If the changes are adopted, the fear is that the standard of visible intoxication is too vague and recovery… Read More »
Speed and Following Too Closely Factors in Iowa I-35 Pileup
A spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol believes that speed and following too closely were factors in the major car accident that occurred last week near Ames on Interstate 35. The pileup involved up to 70 cars, buses and trucks traveling during a snow storm that hit Central Iowa Monday. Unfortunately, one person was killed… Read More »
Employer Retaliation & Wrongful Termination
The Waukee Community School District and its chief operating officer have come under fire for wrongful termination and violating the state’s whistle blower statute. In a lawsuit filed earlier this week, a former administrative assistant alleges that she was forced from her job after reporting her supervisor’s misconduct. More specifically, she alleges that her boss… Read More »
Distracted Driving Leads to Fatal Car Crashes
What’s in a name? Apparently, the term ‘accident’ may have something to do with how people view their responsibilities as drivers. Typically, when a reference is made to an automobile collision, people call it an accident. However, safety advocate groups would like to see these incidences called ‘crashes’ in order to focus attention on the… Read More »
Passengers in Car Raises Risk for Teen Car Accidents
According to a study released by the University of Iowa, distractions caused by passengers of teen drivers is a leading cause of car accidents. In fact, over the last several years, over 15 percent of teens got into a motor vehicle accident after being distracted by a passenger in their car. Although cellphones are the… Read More »
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