Iowa Code § 85A.19 - Autopsy

1. Upon the filing of a claim for compensation for death from an occupational disease where an autopsy is necessary in order to accurately and scientifically ascertain and determine the cause of death, such autopsy shall be ordered by the workers’ compensation commissioner and shall be made under the supervision of the medical examiner of the county in which death occurs or in any county where the body of such employee may be taken. 2. The workers’ compensation commissioner may designate a duly licensed physician to perform or attend such autopsy and to certify the findings thereon. Such findings shall be filed in the office of the workers’ compensation commissioner. The workers’ compensation commissioner may also exercise such authority on the commissioner’s own motion or on application made to the commissioner at any time, upon the presentation of facts showing that a controversy may exist in regard to the cause of death or the existence of any occupational disease. All proceedings for compensation shall be suspended upon refusal of a claimant or claimants to permit such autopsy when so ordered and no compensation shall be payable. [C50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §85A.19] 98 Acts, ch 1061, §11; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §94