Worker claims cost Des Moines nearly $1.4 million

Des Moines has settled nearly $1.4 million in worker claims since May, according to documents obtained by Axios through public record requests.

• Here are the latest legal claims settled for over $1,000 since our last report:

Workers compensation

Darryl Elswick: $525,000 linked with a workers compensation claim from 2017 that left him with a disability.

• He's a former arborist for the city who had multiple work injury claims dating back to 2012, according to state records.

Michael Houseman: $350,000 to settle at least two workers compensation claims, including one from March of 2017.

• The former street maintenance worker agreed to separate from city employment within a week of the settlement this past July.

Disability discrimination claim

Allyn Roberts: $500,000 to settle disability discrimination and retaliation in employment claims.

• The former tree trimmer alleged in a lawsuit that he was wrongfully terminated in 2018 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He had worked for Des Moines for 22 years.

Property damage claims

• George David and Isaac Browne: $7,400 each to settle an auto accident involving a city vehicle last year.
• Lumen Technologies: $9,724 linked with a property damage claim last year.
• Aaron and Tina Ehrlich: $16,012 linked with a sewer backup claim.