Iowa Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Typically, workers’ compensation benefits apply when an injury occurs during work-related activities. This applies to those who:

• Sustained an on-the-job injury while working in Iowa
• Regularly performed work duties in Iowa
• Were hired in Iowa

It doesn’t matter if you were partly at fault for the work injury. The workers’ compensation system in Iowa operates on a no-fault basis. That means individuals are eligible for workers’ compensation regardless of fault unless the injury was intentionally self-inflicted.

This depends on multiple factors specific to your case. Here are the five key factors that determine the value of a workers’ compensation settlement.

• The Location and Classification of Your Injury: The location of your injury can mean tens of thousands of dollars more in settlement value. For scheduled member injuries (e.g., hands, eyes, legs), you’ll be paid based on a doctor’s impairment rating. For body as a whole injuries (e.g., torso, neck, head), you’ll be paid based on your loss of earning capacity.
• Your Weekly Benefit Rate: Your weekly benefit rate is approximately 80% of your weekly take-home earnings after taxes at the time of your injury, including overtime. This calculation forms the foundation for everything you’ll receive. Even a small, $50-per-week error by insurance companies can mean thousands of dollars less over the life of your claim.
• Your Medical Expenses and Future Treatment Needs: Your workers’ comp settlement must cover past and future medical treatment related to your work injury. This includes ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, and necessary medical equipment.
• Your Lost Earning Capacity: Loss of earning capacity considers your earnings before and after your work injury. Other factors that are considered include your age, education, work history, qualifications, and your ability to compete for other jobs. Many judges who decide workers’ compensation cases will also consider your motivation to find work if you lose your job due to a work injury.
• Additional Benefits You May Be Entitled To: You may also be entitled to mileage reimbursement for medical appointments, interest on delayed benefit payments, second injury fund benefits, temporary disability benefits, and permanent disability benefits.

Iowa law requires workers’ compensation insurance companies to pay for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment connected with a work-related injury. This means all past and future medical needs, such as ongoing care. Many injured workers do not realize this, and it can cost them thousands.

Insurance companies sometimes shift medical costs to your health insurance. When this happens, you may be forced to cover co-pays and deductibles out of pocket. These medical expenses should never have been your responsibility as an injured worker.

In addition, if you do receive a workers’ compensation settlement and your health insurance paid any medical bills related to your work injury, your health insurance company may seek reimbursement from your workers’ comp settlement.

Initially, no. It is important to attend any and all appointments with the doctor chosen by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. This helps guarantee payment for your work-related medical costs.

Seeking medical treatment from your own healthcare provider without clearance from the workers’ compensation insurance company could mean that they won’t have to pay for your medical expenses.

The situation changes if your workers’ compensation claim is formally rejected in writing by the insurance company. At this point, you are then permitted and advised to seek treatment from your own medical provider.

In Iowa, every injured employee is entitled by law to file a workers’ compensation claim.

If a worker gets fired because they filed for workers’ compensation benefits, they can file a wrongful termination lawsuit against their employer for violating Iowa law.