Erik Luthens

I obtain fair compensation for injured people.

I primarily handle workers’ compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice and legal malpractice claims (plaintiff only) and have been doing so since 1991 (B.S., University of Iowa, 1988; J.D., Drake Law, 1991).

I have been serving on the IAJ BOG from November, 2016 to date. I previously served on the Urbandale Little League board of directors for approximately ten years and have been a member of the YMCA’s “President’s Club” for approximately the past twelve years as well as a participant in its annual “Partner With Youth” campaign.

Legal Malpractice
Medical Malpractice
Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
Personal Injury
Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Workers’ Compensation

Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Contingent Fees
Iowa
Since 1991
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Languages

  • Spanish:
    Spoken, Written

Iowa Supreme Court cases

Current

Through my diligence, I was successful upon further review with the Iowa Supreme Court in requiring defendants who seek to assert failure to mitigate as an affirmative defense by establishing the same via expert testimony which previously was not required. (See Greenwood v. Mitchell, 621 N.W.2d 200 (2001)). I was also successful on further review with the Iowa Supreme Court in establishing favorable case law for plaintiffs involved in medical malpractice actions relative to the statute of limitations and a health care provider’s failure to timely diagnose a medical condition. ( See Wilkins v. Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center, 758 N.W.2d 232 (2008). Wilkins also established the theory of ostensible agency which holds hospitals and clinics who employ independent contractor physicians liable for the negligent physicians’ acts despite the fact that the negligent physicians are not their employees. I recently prevailed on further review with the Iowa Supreme Court in expanding the scope of Iowa’s dramshop law for plaintiffs who are injured by over-served bar patrons. (See Sanford v. Fillenwarth, 863 N.W.2d 286 (2015)).
Shareholder
Parrish-Sams Luthens Law, P.C.
2020 –

Current

Shareholder
Luthens Law Offices, P.C.
1991 –

2020

Drake University
J.D. (1991) | Law
1988


1991

Drake University Logo
University of Iowa
B.S. (1988) | Political Science
1983


1988

Activities: Pi Kappa Alpha
University of Iowa Logo
Iowa Association for Justice (f/k/a Iowa Trial Lawyers Association)

Member
1995 –
Current
Activities: I am also on the IAJ Board of Governors
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American Association for Justice (f/k/a American Trial Lawyers Association)

Member
1995 –
Current
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Iowa State Bar

Member
1991 –
Current
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Articles & Publications
Iowa Supreme Court / Iowa Court of Appeals Cases
Sanford v. Fillenwarth, 863 N.W.2d 286 (2015)
Iowa Supreme Court
May 8, 2015
Wilkins v. Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center, 758 N.W.2d 232 (2008)
Iowa Supreme Court
December 5, 2008
New v. Titan Tire Corp., WL 984730 (Iowa Ct. App. Aug. 29, 2001).
Iowa Court of Appeals
August 29, 2001
Greenwood v. Mitchell, 621 N.W.2d 200 (2001)
Iowa Supreme Court
January 18, 2001

Farm Bureau vs. Iowa District Court, Iowa Supreme Court File No. 99-1944 (Mar. 17, 2000).
Iowa Supreme Court
March 17, 2000
Blecher v. Iowa Bd. of Educational Examiners, WL 18849 (Iowa Ct. App. Jan. 12, 2000).
Iowa Court of Appeals
January 12, 2000
State v. Gordon, 560 N.W.2d 4 (1997)
Iowa Supreme Court
February 19, 1997

Websites & Blogs

Website
https://www.PSL-Law.com

Parrish-Sams Luthens Law, P.C.
2910 Westown Pkwy
Ste. 203
West Des Moines, IA 50266
US
Telephone: (515) 222-1697
Fax: (515) 222-2655