Dunlavey v. Economy Fire & Casualty Co.

McGIVERIN, Chief Justice.

This case presents the question of whether our workers’ compensation statutes, Iowa Code Chapter 85 (1993), permit an employee, Francis C. Dunlavey, to recover from his employer, Economy Fire and Casualty Company, for a nontraumatic mental injury caused by mental stimuli in the work environment.

Because we conclude that the definition of the term “personal injuries” found in Iowa Code section 85.3(1) includes pure mental injuries, we agree with the district court and the industrial commissioner that an employee may recover for a nontraumatic mental injury.

We further…