Know the Facts About Iowa Workers’ Compensation
To protect your rights and ensure you are able to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your work-related injury, we have compiled these top five facts about Iowa’s workers’ compensation law:- Insurance carriers are not on your side. Regardless of what they tell you, insurance representatives are out to protect their own interests. They want to save their company as much money as possible, and they will try to pay you less than your claim is worth. Additionally, they will investigate you and your claim, trying to find any information that can be used to discredit you. If you must speak to them, never offer more than the basics of your injury—date, time, location, witnesses, and type of injury. Refrain from commenting further on your diagnosis and treatment, as your condition may change over time, and only a medical professional should offer those statements.
- Compensation rates are variable. Similarly, both the weekly rate and a settlement amount offered by an employer or its insurance company may not be correct. Do not take their word for it. The Iowa workers' compensation rates depend upon a number of factors, and it is important to fully understand your rights before accepting an offer. If you agree to an offer and realize later that your claim was worth more, it may be too late.
- A pre-existing condition does not automatically exclude you from benefits. While it is true that Iowa workers’ compensation does not cover pre-existing conditions, it is often the case that employers and insurance companies try to use the existence of any pre-existing condition as a way to avoid payment. A new injury to the same body part or the aggravation of an old injury can be compensated. A worker’s rights are not negated by past injuries.
- You do have some control over your care provider. In Iowa, employers have the right to choose the workers' compensation doctor for their employees’ occupational injuries. However, this does not mean they have complete control over an injured worker’s care forever. Many times, workers are able to request a new provider or a second opinion if they are unhappy with the care provided by the employer-selected physician.
- Filing deadlines must be met in any situation. Even if you are negotiating with an employer or an insurance company, the state-set workers’ compensation claim time limit still applies. Until an agreement is officially reached, injured workers should take care to continue the benefits process as dictated by law. This means filing the appropriate paperwork, meeting the stated deadlines, and continuing medical care.
Our Iowa Work Injury Lawyers Can Help
The physical, emotional, and financial stress of a work injury can be a serious burden for any employee and his family. This burden only increases when you are also faced with uncertainty about your benefits and your future. At Pothitakis Law Firm, our experienced legal team represents injured workers in Iowa so they can obtain the compensation they deserve. We will help you learn more about your rights, and find the best way forward for you and your family. While you focus on your recovery, our team will be working hard to:- File paperwork
- Meet deadlines
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- State your case at a hearing
