4 days ago
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
