Opinion ID: 1824335
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Forfeiture of Healing-Period and Temporary Partial Disability Benefits.

Text: The industrial commissioner denied the worker's claim for healing-period and temporary partial disability benefits for the period of September 30, 1991, through January 21, 1992. The commissioner concluded that the worker had refused suitable work at North Star and therefore had surrendered her right to healing-period and temporary partial disability benefits. If an employee is temporarily, partially disabled and the employer for whom the employee was working at the time of injury offers to the employee suitable work consistent with the employee's disability the employee shall accept the suitable work, and be compensated with temporary partial benefits. If the employee refuses to accept the suitable work the employee shall not be compensated with temporary partial, temporary total, or healing period benefits during the period of refusal. Iowa Code § 85.33(3). McCormick claims that the work offered by North Star was not suitable because it would have cost her the job she preferred at Sara Lee. She argues that North Star could not be trusted to honor Dr. Abbott's light-duty work restriction and that jobs at North Star were not secure due to layoffs and rumors that the plant would close. The commissioner found that the light-duty work proposed by North Star was suitable. Substantial evidence supports this decision. See Dunlavey v. Economy Fire & Casualty Co., 526 N.W.2d 845, 849 (Iowa 1995) (evidence is substantial if a reasonable mind would accept it as adequate to reach a conclusion). The proposed work was approved by McCormick's examining doctor, and there was evidence that her employer would insure that the work would be consistent with McCormick's disability.