Workers’ Compensation in Iowa

Iowa workmans compensation (referred to also as workers’ comp, work compensation, and/or workers’ compensation) provides a means through which workers injured or who become sick on-the-job may get income to replace lost wages and medical treatment. Claims for work-connected injuries or diseases must be filed with the Iowa Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Iowa workers’ compensation issues and claims often must be handled by an Iowa workers’ compensation attorney. For example, if your boss refuses to cooperate, contests your claim, or is underinsured or uninsured, or if your injury is serious or indefinite, you should strongly consider hiring an Iowa workmans comp lawyer.

Illnesses and Injuries Covered Under Iowa Workers’ Compensation Law

Accidental Physical Injuries

• Mishaps at the worksite that cause employee injuries are covered by Iowa workmans compensation insurance.
• Self-inflicted injuries, injuries caused because a worker was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, or injuries caused by a worker’s misconduct are not covered under workmans comp law in Iowa.

Occupational diseases

• Diseases (carpal tunnel syndrome, asbestosis, lung damage) or hearing loss that result from a worker’s employment duties or from exposure to certain substances or sounds at the worksite are covered.

Death

• Death benefits may be payable to the surviving dependants of a deceased worker.

The Iowa Worker’s Comp Claims Process

• Notify Your Boss
  • Provide your boss with notice of your worksite injury within 90 days of the occurrence of injury. Failure to report the injury within this time may delay your workmans comp benefits or may mean that you will lose your right to receive benefits.
  • After your report of injury, your employer must submit an Employer’s First Report of Injury with the Iowa Division of Workers’ Compensation within two years. If the claim is not submitted within two years, you may be precluded from recovering workers’ compensation benefits.
• Get Medical Help Promptly
• If you need extra assistance with your Iowa workmans compensation claim, get in touch with an Iowa work compensation attorney.

Benefits Received in Iowa Under the Workers’ Compensation Program

Several kinds of work compensation benefits are available for workers injured on the job. Discuss the following benefits with an Iowa workmans comp lawyer to ensure that you know exactly to what you are entitled:

• Medical Treatment: All bills from medical treatment for your occupational injury or disease. The workmans comp insurance will pay the medical provider.
• Wage Reimbursement: An injured worker’s transportation expenses to and from medical appointments for his job-related injury or sickness must be paid by his employer or employer’s insurer. These payments include payment for lost wages in some circumstances.
• Funeral: Burial expenses of up to $7,500.
• Death: Death benefits are available to dependents of a worker who dies from his workplace injury. Benefits are payable to the surviving spouse for life and to children until they are 18.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: The Iowa Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services helps employees whose injuries prevent them from returning to their pre-accident jobs obtain and maintain other employment. Workers participating in a vocational rehabilitation program may be able to receive some payment each week throughout the course of the program.
• Income Benefits: Kinds of wage replacement benefits in Iowa:
  1. Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD for short): When a worker cannot work for a period of time because his injury prevents him from doing so. Such a worker is entitled each week to 2/3 of the average weekly wage he earned prior to the accident.
  2. Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (or TPD for short): An employee who is injured on the job and who cannot perform all his original job duties, but who can still do some work, will receive 2/3 of the difference between his average gross weekly earnings pre-injury and his actual post-accident weekly earnings, each week.
  3. Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD for short): An employee is totally incapable of returning to employment. TTD benefits are available for as long as the worker remains permanently disabled.
  4. Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD for short): When a worker has reached maximum improvement with his job-connected injury but will always be affected by the injury. For instance, if a worker loses a limb or a finger or a toe. But, it is still possible for the employee to perform some job functions. Benefits for this kind of injury are based on the degree of permanent disability.

Why Hire An Iowa Workers’ Comp Lawyer?

Because the outcome of your workers’ compensation claim can have a significant effect on your future, you should hire an Iowa workers’ comp lawyer to ensure the best possible outcome of your claim. An attorney who has experience with the Iowa work compensation system will best understand the proper course of action for your claim, help you consider all of your compensation options, and file your claim within the proper time period.

Iowa Workers’ Compensation

Workmans comp provisions in the Iowa Code:

1. Employers Subject To Workers’ Compensation
   • Iowa Code, Chp.85 § 3.
2. Covered Employees
   • Iowa Code, Chp.85 § 3.
3. Benefits
   • Iowa Code, Chp.85 §§ 28-36.
4. Claims Procedure
   • Iowa Code, Chp.85 §§23-25.