Opinion ID: 2226611
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Underpayment of Benefits for March 15, 1988 Injury.

Text: Meyers asks for penalty benefits because his employer, in paying healing-period and temporary partial disability benefits for his March 15 injury, applied an erroneous wage rate. On February 19, 1991, the employer sent a check that purported to resolve the parties' disagreement on this issue and make up the shortage complained of by Meyers. However, according to Meyers, the employer still applied the wrong rateonly $240 per week (even though letters in the record suggest that this rate was agreed to by the attorneys). Meyers argues that payment at the wrong rate subjects the employer to penalties. As an abstract matter, this is true. See Robbennolt , 555 N.W.2d at 237. However, the industrial commissioner did not make specific findings as to the proper rate to be applied, concluding only that the delays were minimal and without any finding of an excuse for any late payments. Because we cannot say in the present state of the record whether the rate applied was correct, we remand to the commissioner for findings on that issue. If it is found that benefits were underpaid, the commissioner should determine whether, on the basis of any agreement between counsel and the other evidence in the record, the delay was excusable. If the delay was not excusable under section 86.13, the commissioner shall determine the amount of penalty to be imposed under Iowa Code section 86.13. See Christensen, 554 N.W.2d at 261. We remand this issue for that purpose.