Can homicide be a workers compensation case in Iowa?
Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 335
On Thursday October 8th John Versypt of Cordova Ill. was found in a common area hallway with a gun lying next to him. Mr. Versypt owns rental units in the complex and was reportedly in Iowa City, Iowa to attend to those properties. The investigation remains open and we have to question what would lead to the death of this 63 year old man.
Whose gun was it? Was the gun Mr. Versypt’s or someone else’s?
What caused his death? Was it a bullet or blunt force? If either, was this the gun used in what appears to be a homicide?
Did he die of natural or unnatural causes?
If he died from being shot what does ballistics show us about if it were this gun?
Was it an argument over the collection of rent?
Or did someone know his routine and that he might have rental receipts on him, tried to rob him and he died or was killed?
In shows name is the gun registered?
What will the autopsy tell us about the cause or causes of death?
Who was home in this apartment complex around the time he was killed?
What did they see, overhear or know about what went on?
Why was he there? Was a tenant behind in the rent and he was having a face-to-face meeting with them?
Personal safety never takes a break. Carrying a handgun may seem like a good idea but what if the assailant gets his/her hands on your gun? Then what? You could hire a lawyer and take the matter to court. Sometimes it’s better to spend a little money and be safe. All that said I’m still interested in the homicide and the police investigation. Perhaps by the time this publishes we will have further information and an arrest will be made.
Now let’s get back to the subject of the title, whether or not this is a workers’ compensation claim. It could be, it depends primarily on whether the business owner covered himself with a workers’ compensation insurance policy. The legal system has been taking such a bad rap lately that many people just don’t think about what’s in their best interest. Workers’ compensation insurance is relatively inexpensive. When you consider that it provides at least four kinds of insurance all in one it’s amazing just how cheap and inexpensive it is.
Consider what workers’ compensation benefits come from this type of insurance.
Life Insurance – If the worker dies it provides a weekly pay check the widow or widower.
Burial Insurance – It provides burial benefits to the dead worker.
Disability Insurance – It provides a weekly benefit check for wage loss in the event of disabling injuries.
Medical or Health Insurance – It pays all medical bills but without a deductible or coinsurance provision.
Uninsurance and Underinsurance Insurance – If you’re working and a third party injures you, that would be someone not working for your same employer, then the workers’ compensation policy pays you a decent amount of money for the claim while providing all of the above. Now if you collect from the other guy you have to pay back your workers’ compensation carrier, but what the heck you’re still better off.
Perhaps Iowa’s workers’ compensation insurance is the ultimate universal healthcare benefit. I can’t say that about state programs like Indiana’s because that program tends towards being worse than nothing. Not only do they pay low benefits but you have some adjuster with little or no education directing your medical care. That is worse than being in Communist Russia.
Now back to the landlord; if he covered himself with a workers’ compensation policy under Chapter 85 his widow or dependent children, if any, can receive weekly benefits (the widow for life). His estate will receive a check for funeral and burial expenses. Any ambulance or ER care will be covered along with the doctor and hospital charges. The burial benefits are somewhat limited at $12,000.00 but still they are there and get a person buried.
We wish his family well, and encourage them to know there are better days ahead.