When a disaster injures many people at once, the confusion, pain, and financial burden can often leave victims and their families with serious injuries and uncertain futures. If you were harmed in a large-scale accident anywhere in Iowa, call a Des Moines mass casualty lawyer from our personal injury law firm to work for justice on your behalf during this challenging time.
In this Article
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Mass Casualty Accident in Des Moines?
What Is a Mass Casualty Incident?
A mass casualty incident is a catastrophic event that causes severe injuries to so many victims that local emergency services and hospitals are overwhelmed. The number of victims exceeds the capacity of first responders to provide immediate medical attention to everyone.
These tragedies can happen in many ways, including:
Structural collapses at construction sites, aging buildings, or public venues (like arenas and stadiums)
Incidents at public gatherings, including fires, explosions, or crowd surges at concerts, festivals, or sporting events
Floods or storms, such as the 2020 Midwest Derecho (which caused4 deaths, dozens of injuries, and $11 billion in damages)
What Causes Mass Casualties in Iowa?
Common Injuries in Mass Casualty Events
Mass casualty incidents often cause severe, life-changing injuries, and delays in care can make them worse. Common harms include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, internal bleeding, broken bones, severe burns, amputations, and other injuries. Lasting psychological trauma from these tragic events can include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Documenting all your injuries with a medical expert is crucial. This record provides essential evidence for your claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Mass Casualty Incident?
Identifying the responsible parties after a large-scale disaster can be complex, as more than one party or entity may share the blame. A thorough investigation helps uncover all sources of negligence.
Potentially liable parties in Iowa may include:
Negligent individuals or companies, such as a reckless driver, a trucking company that failed to maintain its fleet, or an event organizer
Property owners of commercial properties, apartment buildings, or event venues
Contractors and engineers, such as a construction company that used substandard materials or an architect who designed an unsafe structure
Product manufacturers, if a product (like faulty vehicle brakes or a firearm) contributed to the incident
Government agencies: by Iowa law, this could be a state agency like the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) or a local entity like the City of Des Moines
Our legal team can help investigate the incident to identify the multiple parties who may share fault for your injuries.
Compensation Available for Victims in Iowa
If you were injured in a mass casualty event, you may seek fair compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including medical expenses (medical bills for past and future care), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering (including emotional distress). If a loved one was killed, the surviving family may seek compensation with wrongful death damages for funeral costs, lost support, and loss of companionship. Our experienced team can assess your case and the full scope of recoverable damages.
Iowa Laws That Relate to Mass Casualties
Iowa statutes address time limits for filing, at-fault parties, and claims against government agencies.
Statute of Limitations
For most personal injury cases in Iowa, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit, per Iowa Code § 614.1(2). The same two-year deadline generally applies to wrongful death claims (Iowa Code § 611.20).
Comparative Fault
Iowa follows a “modified comparative fault” rule. You can recover damages as long as you are not found to be more than 50% at fault for the incident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault (Iowa Code Chapter 668).
Claims Against Government Entities
Claims against the state are governed by the Iowa Tort Claims Act (Iowa Code Chapter 669). Claims against a city (like Des Moines) or a county fall under a separate chapter of the Iowa Code (Iowa Code Chapter 670). These claims often have much shorter notice requirements and specific procedures that must be followed.
Dram Shop Law
Iowa enacted the Dram Shop Act, which allows a person injured by an intoxicated individual to hold the alcohol licensees or permittees that sell alcohol liable. Iowa’s law excludes private parties.
Damage Limitations
While Iowa does not have a general cap on most personal injury, property damage, and other losses, there are some specific exceptions. For example, recent legislation has placed limits on non-economic damages in certain trucking accident cases. It is important to consult with our legal firm to understand how current laws may affect your claim.
How a Mass Casualty Lawyer from The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, Can Help
After a catastrophic event, you should not have to face the legal process alone. A lawyer from our law firm can manage every aspect of your claim, so you can focus on healing. We investigate the incident, gather evidence, and identify the liable person or parties to build a compelling case for maximum compensation; we work diligently to handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies. If the insurance company refuses to offer what you deserve, we are ready to pursue litigation for our clients in court.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced attorney to discuss your case and answer questions for you. We can review the details of what happened, explain your legal rights under Iowa law, and help you determine the best path forward.
If you were harmed in a large-scale accident anywhere in Iowa, call a Des Moines mass casualty lawyer.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
(312) 223-1700