Report Your Iowa Work Injury as Soon as Possible
After seeking medical care, the most important step in any Iowa workers’ compensation claim is to report the injury. Iowa's workers' compensation act states that injured workers have 90 days to report an injury to their employer. Many employers will require injured employees to complete an incident report, while others will accept simpler written or emailed notice. In either case, injured workers should offer communication of the injury in writing and keep a copy of the notice for their own records. This report should include:- Date and time the injury occurred
- Location where the injury occurred
- Description of how the injury occurred
- Description of the injury itself
- Witnesses to the incident (if applicable)
Filing a Claim for Injury Benefits in Iowa
When filing a workers' compensation claim, victims and employers must adhere to the workers' compensation claim time limit. In turn, employers are required to file an electronic report with the Iowa workers’ compensation commission within four days of the report of an injury. Additionally, employers should notify their insurance company of the claim. It is typically not necessary for the injured employee to file the claim with the state. The insurance company will likely begin to investigate the claim promptly after it is received. The state of Iowa requires that employers and insurance companies respond to workers’ compensation claims in a timely manner or face penalties. Injured workers can expect insurance companies to fully examine a claim, and the investigation may include:- Review of workers' compensation medical records
- Review of employment records
- Medical exam request
- Phone calls to injury victim and witnesses
How Workers' Compensation Works After a Denial
After the investigation, the insurance company will either approve or deny the claim. If the claim is approved, compensation will be determined by the state-set schedule. The law is written to encourage prompt payment of benefits, so injured workers can expect to start receiving compensation shortly after approval. If the victim faces a workers' compensation denial, however, it may be necessary to file an appeal. A workers' compensation appeal can be filed with the Iowa state commission. This is known as a contested case proceeding, and it typically involves a workers' compensation hearing before the commission. At this hearing, the injured worker and his employer are given the opportunity to state their case, offer evidence, answer questions, and more. An appeal must be filed within two years of the date of injury.Helpful Tips for Your Iowa Workers’ Compensation Claim
Though navigating the workers’ compensation system in Iowa can seem overwhelming at the start, it is possible to successfully obtain benefits. To help your claim, it is a good idea to:- Seek medical attention. Many claims are denied simply because the worker failed to seek care. If an injury does not prompt a worker to obtain medical care, it can appear to insurance companies and the state commission that it is not severe enough to warrant benefits.
- Take immediate action. Don’t delay in reporting your injury, seeking medical care, answering questions from the insurance company or state commission, or getting the process started. While the deadlines may seem far away, it does take time to gather and file the appropriate information.
- Keep records. Maintain copies of all correspondence you send and receive. This helps keep insurance companies and employers accountable if they make false claims.
- Find experienced legal representation. While not every workers’ compensation claim requires an attorney, if you suffered a serious injury or your benefits have already been denied, a knowledgeable lawyer can help you fully understand your rights and be an aggressive advocate to help you meet your goals.
