Iowa Supreme Court Allows Longer Filing Period for 'Injury'

DES MOINES - The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that a meat packer who didn't discover his work-related disease until six years after leaving his job can file for benefits under the more liberal filing deadline for an "injury" rather than an occupational "disease." IBP Inc. v. Burress, No. 07-1887 (Iowa Sup. Ct.).

The high court reversed the decision by an Iowa district court on July 10, finding substantial evidence that Lee Burress contracted brucellosis through finger cuts he experienced while working at a meatpacking plant.

Burress was diagnosed with brucellosis in December 2004, more than six years after he …