People's Justice

Iowa · Medical malpractice claims: harm and next steps

Medical malpractice claims: harm and next steps in Iowa

See If You Qualify

Free · No obligation · About 2 minutes

Filing deadline2 years from discovery; 6-year reposeCode § 614.1(9)

Deadlines vary with the facts of each case. A lawyer can confirm yours.

Updated

01 · Your filing deadline

What is the deadline in Iowa?

Iowa Code § 614.1(9): 2 years from when the claimant knew, should have known, or received written notice of the injury; 6-year repose from the act. Foreign objects left in the body: the 6-year repose does not apply. Minors: a child under 8 at the time of the act has until the 10th birthday or the general period, whichever is later; general minors tolling does not apply (§ 614.8(2)). A lawyer can confirm yours.

2 years from discovery; 6-year repose

Source: Code § 614.1(9)

Deadlines vary; a lawyer can confirm yours. An older diagnosis or a past filing window does not, by itself, establish whether you have a claim.

Woman on the phone on her sofa, smiling
A lawyer can check which filing rules apply to your circumstances.

02 · Where cases are heard

Where would my case be heard?

Iowa has a 2-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice with a discovery rule, and a 6-year statute of repose. Iowa has no cap on non-economic damages in malpractice cases. Iowa does not require a pre-filing certificate of merit or expert affidavit, but expert testimony is required to prove the standard of care at trial.

Medical facilities in Iowa

  • University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics — Level I Trauma Center

  • UnityPoint Health — Iowa Methodist Medical Center

How this works nationally

For the overall process and updates, read the Medical malpractice claims: harm and next steps overview. This page covers the local information available for Iowa.

What happens when I check?

You answer a few short questions about what happened. If you send them, your answers are kept on file. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you. People's Justice is not a law firm.

Live in Iowa? Read what applies in your state.

Register your interest. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you.

Register your interest

Sources

  1. Code § 614.1(9)