The Iowa Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld an award of permanent total disability benefits to an injured worker whose accommodated job ended in a plant closure.
Debra Stuart, formerly employed by Dickten Masch Plastics, had settled her claim for a 35% permanent partial disability but continued working in a modified role created for her injury. After the plant closed, she was unable to find new employment, according to Dickten Masch Plastics LLC et al. v. Debra Lee Stuart.
Following a remand, the workers compensation commissioner found her work injury left her incapable of securing employment and awarded PTD benefits, a decision affirmed by the district court…