Iowa Code Title XV. Judicial Branch and Judicial Procedures [Chs. 595-686] § 619.17. Contributory fault--burden

A plaintiff does not have the burden of pleading and proving the plaintiff's freedom from contributory fault. If a defendant relies upon contributory fault of a plaintiff to diminish the amount to be awarded as compensatory damages, the defendant has the burden of pleading and proving fault of the plaintiff, if any, and that it was a proximate cause of the injury or damage. As used in this section, “plaintiff” includes a defendant filing a counterclaim or cross-petition, and the term “defendant” includes a plaintiff against whom a counterclaim or cross-petition has been filed.