Covia v. Robinson

SNELL, Justice.

I. On this appeal, we determine whether Covia, appellee, should be penalized under Iowa Code section 86.13 (1989) for delaying payment of workers’ compensation death benefits to Frederick Robinson, Jr., claimed in connection with the 1989 death of his wife, Diana. The Iowa Industrial Commissioner held Covia’s delay unreasonable. The Commissioner ruled the arguments advanced by Covia justifying their delay failed to present “fairly debatable” questions of fact or law. The district court reversed this ruling. The sole issue on appeal is whether Covia’s reasons for delay were…