Opinion ID: 1928422
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Compensation Due and Credit Dates

Text: Christensen further argues the commissioner erred in failing to set out due dates for compensation and interest payments. In his order, the commissioner, quoting Farmers Elevator Co. v. Manning, 286 N.W.2d 174, 180 (Iowa 1979), correctly explained Section 85.30 expresses legislative intent that interest on unpaid compensation be computed from the date each payment comes due, starting with the eleventh day after the injury.... Interest is therefore payable on such installment from that due date, and similarly with the following weekly payments. Iowa Code section 85.30 provides if these payments are not paid when due, there shall be added to the weekly compensation payments, interest at the rate provided in section 535.3 for court judgments and decrees. In Teel v. McCord, 394 N.W.2d 405, 407 (Iowa 1986), the extent of the worker's permanent partial disability was uncertain until the date of the commissioner's award: September 30, 1982. We held that interest accrued on the award, however, from the date the worker returned to work, May 7, 1974. Teel, 394 N.W.2d at 407. This was also the date when the worker's healing period ended pursuant to section 85.34(2). Id. We held this was in accord with the intent of section 85.30 and our Manning case. Id. In reviewing Teel in Thilges v. Snap-On Tools Corp., 531 N.W.2d 644 (Iowa 1995), we further enunciated the rule that interest is allowed on each compensation payment from the date it was due and not from the date of the administrative decision. In Kiesecker, 528 N.W.2d at 112, we determined that payments due are considered made when they are mailed to the claimant. We reviewed and confirmed the correctness of that decision in Thilges, saying payments are made when placed in the United States mail addressed to the claimant. Kiesecker, 528 N.W.2d at 112. The commissioner instructed the parties to determine the amount of interest owed, if any, and if the parties were unable to reach an agreement they were instructed to seek relief from the commissioner. From the record presented to us, it is not entirely clear whether there is a dispute between the parties as to the amount of interest owed. Therefore, the commissioner's order to the parties to determine the amount of interest they assert is owing is affirmed and this issue is remanded to the commissioner to perform necessary factual inquiries.