Latest news with #HawkeyeWasteSystems
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Eastern Iowa company attains workers' comp insurance to avoid Johnson County ban
An eastern Iowa company say it has purchased workers' compensation insurance, avoiding a possible court order preventing them from conducting business in Johnson County. The Johnson County Attorney's Office requested an injunction against Hawkeye Waste Systems, Inc., a local waste management company, in May. Workers' compensation insurance is required for most businesses under Iowa law. More: Meet the Johnson County organization reducing alcohol consumption and preventing addiction Though filed under seal to protect certain business details, Hawkeye Waste Systems appears to have purchased insurance on July 10. Johnson County attorney Rachel Zimmermann-Smith wrote in a court filing that the company indicated it had purchased the insurance and it would go into effect on July 11. In court documents filed on July 29, a Johnson County judge wrote that the sides had informed him of "a temporary agreement" that stands as long as Hawkeye Waste Systems maintains its insurance coverage. Judge Kevin McKeever set a hearing for January 2026 to determine if the company has maintained its coverage for six months. The judge will consider dismissing the case or injunction at that point. Company facing felony charges after death of worker The lack of insurance was uncovered when Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the Iowa Division of Workers' Compensation investigated Hawkeye Waste Systems, Inc after an employee allegedly died on the job site. The investigation allegedly discovered that Hawkeye Waste Systems "does not have workers' compensation insurance as required by Iowa Code, and has not been approved to be self-insured by the Iowa Insurance Division." An employee, Matthew Reuwsaat, sustained "severe head trauma in a workplace accident" on Oct. 31, 2024. An online memorial for Reuwsaat indicated the accident involved a skid loader. He was transported to the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center, where he died on Nov. 9. Hawkeye Waste Systems, Inc. and four employees and "corporate officers" were subsequently charged separately with a felony for failing to maintain its workers' compensation insurance in April. More: Iowa City finalizes housing-focused revenue for proposed local option sales tax Court documents accuse Hawkeye Waste Systems of "knowingly and willfully engaging in business without first obtaining" workers' compensation insurance. "Prioritizing public safety means holding employers accountable for providing basic protections for workers and their families as State law requires them to do," County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann-Smith said in a statement in April. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Hawkeye Waste Systems buys workers' compensation insurance, avoids ban Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Eastern Iowa company charged with felony for lack of insurance following employee's death
The Johnson County Attorney's Office has filed felony charges against a Scott County company for failing to have workers' compensation insurance after a worker died at its Iowa City location. Hawkeye Waste Systems, Inc. and four employees and "corporate officers" were charged with failure to maintain workers' compensation insurance in the Johnson County District Court on Wednesday, April 23. That charge is a Class "D" felony in Iowa, punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. More: Federal restraining order says UI students cannot be deported, demands status reinstatement The lawsuit also names James and Chris Watts, Mary Sheen and Chris Dohrer. Dohrer is listed as the general manager of Watts Trucking, the parent company of Hawkeye Waste Systems, on LinkedIn. Watts Trucking was founded in 1948 and operates out of the Quad Cities, according to its website. More: North Liberty man sentenced to 50 years in prison for Iowa City break-in, sexual assault According to court documents, Matthew Reuwsaat sustained "severe head trauma in a workplace accident" at the company's Iowa City location on Oct. 31, 2024. An online memorial post indicated that the accident involved a skid loader. Reuwsaat died at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center on Nov. 9. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration, OSHA, and the Iowa Division of Workers' Compensation investigated and allegedly discovered that Hawkeye Waste Systems "does not have worker's compensationinsurance as required by Iowa Code, and has not been approved to be self-insured by theIowa Insurance Division." Court documents accuse Hawkeye Waste Systems of "knowingly and willfully engaging in business without first obtaining" workers' compensation insurance, which is required by law. "Prioritizing public safety means holding employers accountable for providing basic protections for workers and their families as State law requires them to do," County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann-Smith said in a statement. Arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., May 19 at the Johnson County Courthouse. Reuwsaat, 61, was born and raised in Newton, Iowa and graduated from Newton High School, according to an online obituary. He worked as a diesel mechanic in Iowa City. Reuwsaat married his "soulmate" in 2015. He had one daughter and three grandchildren. "Matt had a kind heart, always willing to help anyone he could, no matter how well he knew them," the obituary said. "He never expected anything in return from those he helped. He also had a talent for fixing things and was willing to tackle any repairs." Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Eastern Iowa company faces felony charge following employee's death
