Far too often, injured workers in Iowa are left feeling like they don’t have many options to help them recover. Truthfully, the majority of non-independent employees in the state must be covered by workers’ compensation insurance provided by their employers. This type of insurance is meant to help a worker recover quickly after a work-related accident leaves them too injured to work, so it should be what helps you after a workplace injury.
If you encounter any trouble while seeking workers’ compensation, then please know that the Ankeny workers’ comp lawyers of LaMarca Law Group, P.C. are here to help. We take pride in being the trusted legal name for workers’ comp cases, no matter how complex.
Would you like to know more about your workers’ compensation options, including how to start a claim or challenge a denial? We would love to tell you more. Please call (515) 705-0233at any time.
Workers We Represent
Our attorneys can represent injured workers from all industries, such as:
Law enforcement
Firefighting
Medical
Hospitality
Transportation
Manufacturing
Construction
Retail
Foodservice
Industrial
What Does Workers’ Comp Do?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault-based insurance system. It allows an injured
worker to seek various benefits through the insurance plan after being hurt at work
or while completing a work-related duty even if that worker admits to causing the
accident. The “catch” is that workers’ compensation rules do not allow you to file
a workers’ comp claim through your employer’s insurance policy
and
file a personal injury claim against the employer. You essentially agree not to sue
your employer if you use workers’ comp, and you also must attempt to use workers’
comp before filing an injury claim.
Benefits Available Through Workers’ Compensation
If you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, which most employees in Iowa do,
then what benefits can you expect through it? The severity of your injury and the
definition of your employment can change the available benefits in some ways. But
most claimants can take advantage of the same base benefits.
The most important benefits available through workers’ compensation are:
Medical treatment coverage: Any medical treatment that you need to recover from your work-related injury should
be fully covered by the insurance company, regardless of when you need the treatment
or its total cost. You can even receive therapeutic care years after your injury
that is still covered by workers’ comp. In many cases, insurance companies try to
argue that some treatments were elective or optional, not necessary, which would
make them ineligible for coverage.
Wage replacement: Your finances can spiral out of control if you are too injured to keep working after
a work-related accident. Workers’ compensation can provide you with two-thirds of
your average pre-injury wages each week until you are ready to return to some form
of employment again. If your injury causes a permanent disability, then you can get
long-term disability benefits with payment values that depend on the severity and
type of your disability.
Vocational retraining: If you cannot return to your previous role or occupation due to your injury, then
your employer must find another suitable role for you with the same or better pay.
If your employer cannot, then the worker’s comp insurance company might be obligated
to pay for the cost of your retraining or new certification courses, even if that
means you switch careers entirely.
See If You Can Get Workers’ Comp Today
We should talk soon about your options under Iowa workers’ compensation laws. You
might only have 30 days or fewer to notify your employer of your injury, and you
have only two years to begin a formal claim. But why wait another day when you need
the benefits now? Don’t delay – get us on your side today.
