United Group Insurance

Iowa’s Ag One Call Enforcement

News

September 27th, 2011 by admin

The Iowa Attorney General has dramatically increased enforcement of a law requiring excavators to contact Iowa One Call 48 hours before excavation.

The number of lawsuits filed has increased from an average of three filed per year from 1999-2009, to 13 lawsuits that were last year. The civil penalties also increased from an average of $13,500 from 1999-2009 to a total of $53,000 assessed last year.

Iowa Code, Chapter 480, spells out the responsibilities of anyone planning to dig. It also outlines the civil penalties that may be incurred if someone violates the code, including potentially substantial fines.

You can visit www.iowaonecall.com or www.call811.com for more information.