About IWCAC

The Iowa Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee, Inc. is a non-profit organization representing multifarious special interest groups concerned with the Iowa Workers' Compensation Law and the viability of the state system of workers' compensation administration.  

The Committee, incorporated as an Iowa Non-profit corporation in February 1985, currently is composed of seven general member groups representing:

  • Labor
  • Management
  • Insurers
  • Agriculture 
  • Claimant's attorneys
  • Defense attorneys
  • Health care providers


Concerned about the lack of understanding of workers' compensation by those groups most affected by the law, Iowa Industrial Commissioner Harry Dahl initiated the Advisory Committee in 1962 by appointing a nucleus of six interested parties to assist him in sponsoring an educational program.  Education remains the principal function of the group.  In the first year of its existence the Committee sponsored the Iowa Workers' Compensation Symposium, an overview of the system as it had developed in Iowa.  The symposium, an annual educational event since its inception is among the world's largest meetings devoted exclusively to workers' compensation. 


The Committee represents a most knowledgeable resource group in the field of workers' compensation.  Because of this, all administrative rules are reviewed by the Committee prior to submission to the Administrative Rules Review Committee and implementation by the Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner.  In addition, all legislation proposed by the Workers' Compensation Commissioner is submitted for Committee action prior to being introduced in the legislature.  Such support has resulted in the adoption by the legislature of broad based beneficial reforms in the Iowa workers' compensation system.  Policymakers look to the Advisory Committee as a source of expertise regarding workers' compensation matters.


In addition to supporting the Commissioner with special studies or projects, the Committee publishes the annual Iowa Workers' Compensation Law book, an unofficial compilation of statutes and related administrative rules.