





A:
The Iowa Workers Compensation Commissioner is based in Des Moines; therefore, many of the hearings are conducted in Des Moines. There are also hearings held outside Des Moines in Oskaloosa, Ft. Dodge, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Mason City, Burlington, Dubuque and Storm Lake. However, it is usually quicker to get your case heard before a judge by agreeing to have it held in Des Moines.
We also believe that the judges feel better and are more likely to give an injured worker a better result in Des Moines, because they live in the Des Moines area and will not have to travel. Ask yourself, if you were the judge would you be in a better mood if you are sleeping in your own bed and working 8-10 hours per day or staying in a hotel room away from your family and working 10-12 hours per day? This is another thing to take into consideration when determining where you want your workers’ compensation case to be heard. Keep in mind that if you were not injured in the Des Moines area and the defendants do not agree to have the case heard in Des Moines; it may be heard in one of the other cities in Iowa.