AGENDA
Session Title: Mastering the AMA Guides in Iowa Workers’ Compensation: Legal Standards, Medical Evidence, and Advocacy Techniques
Speaker: Colin Lane
Colin began his career with MVP as a summer associate in 2022. After graduating from Luther College in 2020 amidst a global pandemic, Colin attended Drake University Law School where he served on the Junior Staff, and later as the Managing Editor, of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law. His note, “Cracking the Code: Open-Source Seed and Intellectual Property Rights”, was published by the Journal in their 28th volume. Colin was a featured speaker at the Iowa State Bar Association’s 150th Annual meeting where he presented on recent caselaw focusing on workers’ compensation issues.
Colin and his wife, Lauren, live in West Des Moines, Iowa with their boxer-pit bull mix, Leo. They share a love of baseball and Taylor Swift and regularly debate which is more important to American culture
Speaker: Rachael Neff
Rachael Neff is an attorney at Ball, Kirk, & Holm, PC., where she practices in the areas of personal injury litigation, workers’ compensation, and family law, including divorce and child custody. In 2018, Rachael graduated from Drake University Law School and went on to practice for 5 years in the area of workers’ compensation and insurance defense for a law firm in Cedar Rapids. In her free time, Rachael enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and two dogs.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
- Analyze the Legal Framework Governing Impairment Ratings in Iowa
Participants will be able to explain the statutory and case‑law authority governing the use of the AMA Guides in Iowa workers’ compensation claims, including when ratings are required, how they factor into scheduled versus unscheduled injuries, and how they interact with industrial disability assessments.
- Evaluate the Quality and Admissibility of Medical Impairment Evidence
Attendees will learn to assess the sufficiency, methodology, and credibility of impairment ratings under the Guides, identify common errors in physician reports, and understand how deputies evaluate and weigh competing medical opinions.
- Apply the AMA Guides to Factual Scenarios Relevant to Iowa Practice
Participants will gain practical experience applying AMA rating principles to hypothetical injury scenarios, enabling them to better interpret medical evaluations, anticipate disputes, and effectively integrate impairment ratings into claim valuation and litigation strategy.
- Strengthen Attorney–Physician Communication and Expert Use
Attendees will develop techniques for preparing rating‑focused questions, drafting effective IME letters, addressing inconsistencies in medical expert opinions, and presenting or challenging impairment evidence in depositions and hearings.