AGENDA

Session Title: What is a Penalty and How Do I Avoid it?

Speaker: Amanda Rutherford

Amanda R. Rutherford joined the Division of Workers’ Compensation as a Deputy in April 2022.  She received her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Luther College in 2003 and her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2008 with honors.  After law school, Deputy Rutherford served as a law clerk for the Iowa Supreme Court. Prior to joining the Workers’ Compensation Division, she worked for the Iowa Attorney General’s Office in the Special Litigation Division. 

Speaker: Erica Fitch

Erica Fitch graduated from the University of Arizona in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.  She thereafter obtained her law degree from the University of California.  After a brief period in the private sector, Erica joined the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Division in 2008 as a compliance analyst.  She began work as a Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner in early 2010 and remains in that position to this date.

Learning Objective 1:  Attendees will become familiar with the language of Iowa Code section 10A.315 and its requirements. 

Learning Objective 2:   Attendees will discuss how to conduct a reasonable investigation.

Learning Objective 3:  Attendees will learn the common mistakes which give rise to penalty claims and how to avoid them.

Learning Objective 4: Attendees will learn how to defend against a penalty allegation at hearing.