Hunter
07/09/25
University of Iowa Health Care announced Tuesday that an arbitration panel has awarded them $49.4 million in damages after years of legal wrangling over the windows at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
The Press-Citizen reports the decision comes less than five months after the Iowa Board of Regents approved a new budget for a “near-total” replacement of “defective” windows at the hospital, increasing it to $52 million. A UI Health Care spokesperson said the settlement money will be used to cover the project’s costs.
The windows have been an issue since the hospital opened in 2017, when some began cracking or de-laminating. The Iowa Board of Regents approved a window replacement project in 2023 and began switching out the worst windows that fall.
The University sued two construction companies in 2022, claiming that they installed defected windows that didn’t have insulated glass. UI Health Care installed protections to prevent broken glass from falling on patients or staff in case the windows broke.
One of the companies, Knutson Construction, issued a statement saying they worked proactively with UIHC to resolve their limited role in the installation of windows before it went to arbitration. They continue to do work for the University.
In the release, made public Tuesday, Carver College of Medicine Dean and Vice President for Medical Affairs Denise Jamieson is quoted as saying, “We are pleased with the arbitration panel’s decision and thankful this case has been resolved. We remain committed to providing patients and their loved ones with a safe place to receive outstanding care.”