Opinion ID: 1990090
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: District Court's Review

Text: In determining whether the district court erred in exercising its power of judicial review, we apply the standards of Iowa Code section 17A.19(8) to the agency action to determine whether our conclusions are the same as the district court. E.N.T. Assocs. v. Collentine, 525 N.W.2d 827, 829 (Iowa 1994). The decision by the district court considers the matter of substantial evidence in detail. It cites five reasons why there has been a failure of proof by Williamson to support an award of additional permanent partial disability benefits. They are: (1) no change in earning capacity; (2) no increase in disability rating or physical restrictions; (3) changes in physical condition are minor and were contemplated at the time of settlement; (4) expert testimony and lay evidence showed significant physical problems before the settlement in 1991 not unlike claimant's current problems; (5) claimant's current problems were not causally linked to the original injury. We have commented at length on the need for specific findings of fact and clearly stated conclusions of law by the commissioner and on review by the district court. See Ward v. Iowa Dep't of Transp., 304 N.W.2d 236, 238-39 (Iowa 1981); see also Catalfo v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., 213 N.W.2d 506, 509-10 (Iowa 1973). We have also recognized that courts under the press of heavy court dockets do seek the assistance of counsel in preparing proposed findings, conclusions, and the decree. In Kroblin v. RDR Motels, Inc., 347 N.W.2d 430 (Iowa 1984), we said: We believe the better practice is spelled out in Bradley v. Maryland Casualty Co.: We venture to suggest that if, because of prevailing custom, or pressure of work, or a case's technical nature, or for other reasons, counsel must be asked to assist in the preparation of findings and conclusions, it is better practice to make this request at or soon after the submission of the case and prior to decision and to make it of both sides. 5 Moore's Federal Practice (2d ed. 1966), par. 52.06[3], p. 2665. Then the court may pick and choose and temper and select those portions which better fit its own concept of the case. Kroblin, 347 N.W.2d at 435 (quoting Bradley v. Maryland Cas. Co., 382 F.2d 415, 423-24 (8th Cir.1967)). We note that we have also rejected the argument that the commissioner should be required to detail the reasons for rejecting each of the various facts and evidence advanced by a claimant in favor of advanced disability percentages. In Robbennolt v. Snap-On Tools Corp., 555 N.W.2d 229 (Iowa 1996), we said: There is no requirement in the statutes or our case law commanding the commissioner to validate the agency's decisions with precise detail and specificity. If this was required, the agency's efficiency and capacity to expedite decisions for the benefit of the injured worker would collapse under the dead weight of detail. Robbennolt's argument ignores our well-recognized rule that the agency's decision is final if supported by substantial evidence and if correct in its conclusions of law. It is also contra to the purpose of our review as set out by the legislature in section 17A.19(8). We affirm the district court decision on this issue. Robbennolt, 555 N.W.2d at 234 (citation omitted). We have also been asked to consider and rejected the call to denigrate a trial court's decision drafted by counsel. In Care Initiatives v. Board of Review, 500 N.W.2d 14 (Iowa 1993), we commented as follows: Care asks that we give little weight, if any, to the findings and conclusions of the trial court because the court adopted verbatim the twenty-one page proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and judgment submitted by the board of review. We have criticized the trial court's ex parte request of counsel to submit proposed findings. Here, however, the court requested both parties to submit proposed findings, conclusions and judgment following trial. Although we have not encouraged courts to adopt findings and conclusions prepared by counsel, we do not apply a separate standard of review when the court does so. Care Initiatives, 500 N.W.2d at 16 (citations omitted). We reiterate the cited cautions in our cases and again note the problems inherent in this practice. In the case on review our directions could have been better implemented. Notwithstanding this, we do not find reversible error in the assignment now raised on appeal by Williamson. Our conclusions of law on review are the same as those of the district court. The decision is affirmed. AFFIRMED.