Grandstaff et al v. Hiner Equipment, L.L.C. et al

Case Summary: 13-cv-00390

Plaintiff, Michelle L. Grandstaff, Administrator of the Estate of Daniel J. Walsh, files a wrongful death and negligence action against Defendants Hiner Equipment, Herbert Terrell, Traveler’s Home and Marine Insurance, and State Farm Insurance for the death of Daniel Walsh and James Langholf. The main events leading to the case of action show that Daniel Walsh and Jesse Inman, both employed by Defendant Hanifen Co., pulled to the side of the road to help James Langholf, employed by Defendant Howe Freightways, whose semi-tractor had broken down. While Daniel and Jesse were helping Longholf, Herbert Terrell, the driver of another semi-truck, lost control of the vehicle and collided with Daniel, Jesse, and James, killing all three.

This proceeding is heard by the Court pursuant to a cross-claim action between Defendants Howe Freightways and Hiner Equipment against Defendant Hanifen Co. In this video, Defendant Hanifen argues that Daniel Walsh and Jesse Inman’s death falls within the Iowa Worker’s Compensation Act, and the adult children of the deceased are entitled to workers compensation funds for loss of consortium. Defendants Howe Freightways and Hiner Equipment argue that the adult children of the deceased are not entitled to worker’s compensation because loss of consortium for adult children is not covered under the Iowa Worker’s Compensation Act. Both parties provide several cases to support their arguments. The Court hears the case and will come to a decision at a future date. 

Case Highlights

• Complaint filed 9/12/2013 (Doc #1)
• Answer filed 10/11/2013 (Doc #4)
• Judgment entered 10/23/2014 (Doc #82)

Case-related documents, including those referenced above, are available via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. For more information, visit Pacer.gov.