Iowa Code section 85.34. Claimant's work history as a heavy manual laborer for a period of over 20 years indicates that he has lost access to the job market because of the permanent work restrictions. Nevertheless, claimant is still employed at a somewhat lower rate of pay in the same industry that he has enjoyed for over 20 years. Furthermore, claimant has work restrictions which will inhibit his ability to access the heavy manual labor market when viewed as a whole. However, claimant is still employed within the industry in his primary area of training and experience.
Future employment is contemplated.
To analyze this case as if claimant were unemployed would be speculative at best. Claimant's situation as it exists at the time of hearing indicates an individual with a small actual loss of ability to earn and permanent work restrictions which prohibit him from accessing a number of jobs within his employer's facility. Having considered all of the industrial disability factors it is concluded that claimant is entitled to 25 percent industrial disability. It is further ordered that defendant shall receive credit for benefits previously paid if applicable and that accrued benefits shall be paid in a lump sum with interest pursuant to Iowa Code section 85.30. It is further ordered that costs shall be paid by defendant pursuant to rule 876 IAC 4.33 with claim activity reports filed pursuant to 876 IAC 3.1.