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Welcome

Welcome to the website of H. Edwin Detlie, Attorney, Past President of the Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Inc. (2004-5). His practice is limited to Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability/SSI appeals. While he has practiced law in Ottumwa, Iowa since 1982, he opened a second law office in Dexter, Iowa, just west of Des Moines, in 2009.

Mr. Detlie was recently invited to join the Larson’s National Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board for LexisNexis, the world’s largest legal publisher. He is a member of the Iowa Association for Justice Workers’ Compensation Section and the Work Injury Litigation Group (WILG) a national organization of workers’ attorneys concerning workers’ compensation claims.

He was recently appointed to serve as Chair of the Law Practice Management Committee of the Iowa State Bar Association, is a long-time Sustaining Member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), and was recently appointed to the NOSSCR Technology Committee. Read more

Workers’ Compensation

Each State has its own system for determining whether a condition is work-related, what treatment and medication are available, and for awarding compensation for work injuries. Iowa has a collection of agency decisions and Court opinions from the Iowa Supreme Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals, interpreting the Iowa workers’ compensation statutes. An attorney who is experienced in Iowa workers’ compensation law can be important, from the time of the injury to the time of a hearing or settlement. Issues include work-related injuries, notice to the employer of the injury, the weekly rate of compensation, impairment ratings, Independent Medical Examinations, whether to file a Petition for Arbitration requesting a hearing before a Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner and settlements, among others.

Employers have insurance companies or claims administrators who are trained in handling workers’ compensation claims. Some adjustors are well-trained, while others may not handle your injury, treatment or compensation according to Iowa law. You should consult an attorney who is very knowledgeable in the Iowa statutes, as well as agency and Court decisions interpreting the Iowa workers’ compensation law. Selection of an attorney is an important decision, and should be made on the basis of the attorney’s training, experience,  leadership in groups specific to that area of the law, and reputation among past clients.

Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability is governed by the Social Security Act, but it is defined by multiple sets of regulations, such as the Listings of Impairments, the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, as well as interpretive rulings and memoranda.  Although many people think that they will win just because they have a certain diagnosis, that is almost never true. A doctor’s opinion that you can’t work, with no specifics, or a vague opinion that says that you can’t stand, sit or walk for long periods or lift much weight will not be given any serious consideration. In order for your claim to be given fair consideration, it is necessary to have a doctor’s opinion, which outlines specifically how long you can stand, walk and sit at one time, as well as how long you can sit in an eight-hour day and how long you can be on your feet in an eight-hour day. That should not reflect your abilities on an good day, but what you can do on Monday, and again on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. If you need to lie down during the day, a specific opinion on how long you need to lie down, and how many times is important. The same is true if you need to elevate your legs, as well as specific information whether you can use a footstool, or if you feet need to be at waist or heart level. There is much more information on this site concerning the specifics of a claim for Social Security Disability, but an attorney who is well-versed in the requirements and the hearing process is almost always essential.

Why We’re Here

Our mission statement is, “To show the love of Jesus Christ through excellent and caring services, at the professional and staff level, for injured and disabled workers.”

Lots of people come to our office with physical or emotional hurt that can only be imagined. They are in need of healing.

Healing is done not only through recovery from injuries and illness, but through a recovery of faith and a right relationship with Jesus Christ. A man or woman who is healthy and has money can be more crippled than a man or woman with physical or emotional infirmities and financial problems. All the money in the world can’t buy fulfillment and peace. Jesus is the answer to that spiritual emptiness, as revealed in the Scriptures; for some people, a severe injury may be a chance to re-evaluate their relationship with God, through Jesus.

King David shared his joy, when he called on God, and God answered: “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.” Psalm 138:3. Read more

Featured Articles

President, Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, 2004-5

Welcome to the website of H. Edwin Detlie, Attorney, Past President of the Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, 2004-5 and Chair of the Law Practice Management Committee of the Iowa State Bar Association, 2009-.

H. Edwin Detlie

H. Edwin Detlie Practice limited to Iowa Workers' Compensation and Social Security

H. Edwin Detlie’s law practice is limited to Iowa Workers’ Compensation claims and Social Security Disability/ SSI appeals. While he has practiced law in Ottumwa, Iowa since 1982, he recently opened a second law office in Dexter, Iowa, just west of Des Moines.

Mr. Detlie was recently invited to join the Larson’s National Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board for LexisNexis, the world’s largest legal publisher. He contributes a regular weblog, or blog, on the LexisNexis Workers’ Compensation Law Center. Click here to see his Workers’ Compensation blog on LexisNexis.

He was appointed  in 2009 to serve as Chair of the Law Practice Management Committee of the Iowa State Bar Association, is a Sustaining Member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), and was recently appointed to the NOSSCR Technology Committee. He is a member of the Iowa Association for Justice, Workers’ Compensation Section. He is a regular speaker at State, regional and national seminars in Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation law, and served as Chair of the 47th Annual Iowa Workers’ Compensation Symposium in June of 2009.  H. Edwin Detlie has practiced law in Ottumwa since 1982; before that, he was an Administrative Law Judge with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission for several years.

The purpose of this website is to provide information for clients or potential clients, about their rights and the procedural complications for injured and disabled workers, pursuing claims for Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability or SSI. This site has been set up to include as much information as possible, in a way that is as understandable as possible.

 If you are interested in an initial appointment at no charge to discuss a work injury or pending Social Security Disability appeal, if you have any suggestions for changes or further information or website links to include, please click here.

The information contained on this site is not to be considered as legal advice, and anyone seeking such advice should contact an attorney who is well-experienced in the area of the law in which you have questions. To contact H. Edwin Detlie’s office by email, click here. Include your name, address and telephone number if you are interested in setting up an appointment.