Medical Malpractice Laws in Iowa.

Non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 unless the jury determines there is substantial or permanent loss of a bodily function, substantial disfigurement, loss of pregnancy, or death. No cap on economic damages.

When the jury finds substantial/permanent impairment, disfigurement, or death, the cap rises to $1,000,000 against a health care provider.

When a hospital is a defendant and the jury finds substantial/permanent impairment, disfigurement, or death, the cap rises to $2,000,000. These caps increase by 2.1% annually starting January 1, 2028.

Plaintiff must serve a certificate of merit affidavit signed by a qualified expert within 60 days of the defendant's answer. The affidavit must certify that the applicable standard of care was breached and describe how. Failure to serve results in dismissal with prejudice.

Expert witnesses must be licensed to practice in the same or substantially similar field as the defendant and must have actively practiced in that field for at least 5 of the years preceding the alleged malpractice. Must hold a current, active license.

In medical malpractice cases, if a patient's medical expenses are covered by a private insurer, the patient cannot personally recover those expenses. If covered by Medicaid, recovery is allowed. Iowa has partially abrogated the collateral source rule for medical malpractice.