Iowa Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Representing Injured Employees Throughout Iowa
When you are injured at work, you deserve fair compensation to cover your losses, including lost wages and the bills for any necessary medical treatments. Fortunately, workers in Iowa have the right to workers’ compensation benefits.
However, the process of successfully filing a claim is often more complicated than it needs to be, and many Iowans struggle to access the money they are entitled to under the law.
For over 25 years, our Iowa workers' compensation lawyers at the Pothitakis Law Firm has made it our mission to protect your rights and achieve the highest possible financial recovery for your workers’ compensation claim.
Having secured over $140 million for our clients, our Iowa workers’ compensation lawyer understands how to level the playing field and strategically approach these cases.
Compassionate and Caring Workers' Compensation Lawyers
When you hire our Iowa workers' compensation law firm, you will be working with a neighbor and friend. We are proud to be a part of the Iowa community and help its residents get the compensation they deserve for workplace injuries.
Our legal professionals are deeply invested in the outcome of your case and will provide attentive, compassionate advocacy from beginning to end. So, you can always trust that we have a workers comp attorney near you, ready to go the distance to get the compensation you need.
You pay no fees unless workers compensation lawyers win. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling (319) 318-0450 or contacting us online today. Se habla español.
Why Choose Pothitakis Law Firm?
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Top-Rated by Injured Workers Across IowaOur clients trust us — and their reviews show it. We’re proud to be recognized for our dedication, compassion, and the real results we’ve delivered to injured workers just like you.
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Free, Flexible Consultations – Your Schedule, Your Terms
Whether you prefer to meet in person, over the phone, or virtually, we make it easy for you to get trusted legal help — wherever and however you need it.
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We Know the Insurance Company's PlaybookOur team understands how insurance companies operate — and we use that knowledge to build stronger, smarter strategies that protect your rights and maximize your benefits.
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Work Injury Law Is All We DoWith over 25 years of focused experience, our firm handles only workers' compensation and work injury cases. This level of specialization allows us to navigate every case with unmatched precision and expertise.
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You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
We represent our clients on a contingency fee basis, which means there’s no upfront cost. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us anything — it’s that simple.
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Over $140 Million Recovered for Injured WorkersWe have a long-standing track record of success, securing over $140 million in benefits and settlements for our clients. Our results reflect our relentless commitment to fighting for the compensation injured workers deserve.
What Benefits Can I Get Through Workers’ Compensation?
The types of benefits you can potentially receive will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries. Iowa does enforce caps on disability benefits: You can get up to 80% of your weekly earnings or $1,864, whichever is lower.
In Iowa, workers’ compensation benefits cover:
- Medical care: Workers' compensation in Iowa covers all reasonable and necessary medical care related to the work injury or illness. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment (like crutches or wheelchairs), and other necessary treatments. The injured worker is typically not required to pay any out-of-pocket expenses for these medical services.
- Temporary partial disability: If a worker can still work but is forced to take a lower-paying job due to their injury or illness, they may be eligible for temporary partial disability benefits. These benefits are typically calculated as two-thirds of the difference in wages between the worker's pre-injury wage and their post-injury wage.
- Temporary total disability: When a worker's injury or illness temporarily prevents them from returning to work, they may receive temporary total disability benefits. These benefits are generally calculated at two-thirds of the worker's average weekly wage before the injury, subject to certain maximum and minimum limits. These benefits are available until the worker reaches maximum medical improvement or can return to work.
- Permanent total disability payments: In cases where an injured worker cannot return to any type of gainful employment due to the severity of their injuries, they may be eligible for permanent total disability benefits. These benefits are typically paid for life, or until the worker's condition improves to the point where they can return to work.
- Lost wages: If an injured worker experiences a loss of income due to their work-related injury or illness, they may be eligible for lost wage benefits. These benefits are designed to compensate for a portion of the wages the worker loses as a result of their inability to work.
- Death benefits: In the unfortunate event that a work-related injury or illness results in the death of a worker, the surviving dependents or beneficiaries are entitled to death benefits. These benefits typically cover funeral expenses and provide financial support to the deceased worker's dependents, such as a spouse or children.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
“Workers’ compensation” is an insurance policy that the grand majority of Iowa employers are required to carry. These policies are designed to cover job-related injuries or illnesses sustained by employees.
The Iowa workers’ compensation system, like others across the country, offers remuneration in three main categories for injured workers and their families:
- Medical bills: Pending review, medical expenses related to a workplace accident may be covered under workers’ compensation, including hospital stays, surgery, medication, doctors’ appointments, and others.
- Wage replacement: Often, injured and ill workers are forced to miss work because of their injuries. Hence, they are unable to earn income as they did before the injury, or they may have lost earning capacity. The workers’ compensation system can provide payments while the employee is out of work. The payment amounts are based on a number of factors, including the severity of the injury and the employee’s previous wages.
- Rehabilitation services: The goal of any care program is to help a person recover after suffering from an illness or injury. The workers’ compensation system may pay for treatment that enables an injured employee to regain as much function as possible, including physical and emotional therapy. This can also include vocational rehabilitation to help the employee rejoin the workforce.
When an employee is injured, their employer files a claim, and the insurance company issues monetary compensation for injury-related expenses. Employers must pay for these policies themselves and cannot require employees to contribute.
In the event a workplace injury results in an employee’s death, surviving family members may be eligible to receive workers' compensation death benefits, including funeral costs and wage replacement. Iowa's workers' compensation second injury fund is available for qualifying workers who suffer a second injury while recovering from a first one.
Workers' Compensation Definition and Purpose
Workers’ compensation protects both employees and employers after an accident or other scenario causes a worker to suffer injuries or fall ill. The system is based on two main tenets:
- Workers can obtain benefits regardless of who was at fault. Injuries and illnesses occur as a result of many circumstances. Every so often, the employer is at fault if the work environment is unsafe. Other times, potentially careless behavior of the employee causes the injury. However, under workers’ compensation, employers agree to offer benefits, regardless of what caused an accident.
- Employers are shielded from further costly and time-consuming litigation. Before workers’ compensation existed, employers were often involved in arduous and expensive litigation, in which they had to show that an employee or some other party was negligent. In exchange for disregarding fault, employers no longer have to do this, and employees may not sue their employer if they receive workers’ compensation benefits.
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Our Reviews
Fighting for Justice — Just Ask Our Clients
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“Taking the case as far as possible, but knowing when to settle. Ann was great to work with, very good at her job. Kayla was also great to work with, did a very good job.”- S.B.
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“Niko was always to the point and honest about [my case]. Very courteous staff. Always able to speak with me and prompt on returning my calls. Thank you.”- C.L.
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“He kept me updated on everything. He did an awesome job for me! Couldn’t have gotten near what I did without his help! His staff is so nice and helpful too. Great place to go!”- S.D.
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“I injured my back at work, and was unable to return to my job. My employer's Workmen’s Comp. insurance company initially paid for the first few things that they were supposed to cover, but then cut me off as far as payments and communication, and lef”- Craig H.
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“I work in health insurance and still had difficulties navigating the complexities of a subrogation claim with 2 med pay policies after our son’s injury.”- Kelly A.
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“I would recommend Pothitakis law firm to anyone needing an injury or workers compensation lawyer.”- Cassandra B.
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“Niko was a huge help to me. He talked me through the process and told me what to expect. His staff is wonderful to deal with. I would not hesitate going with Niko.”- Brian H.
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“What a wonderful and pleasant firm to work with. Had issue with getting answers from company and work compensation insurance, so I called Niko and things went smoothly from there.”- Brian W.
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“Any and all issues I had with a work related injury was take care of with this awesome team. Niko and his team should be the first choice in the area for anyone suffering from a work related injury.”- Daniel M.
Workers’ Compensation FAQ
What injuries will my Iowa workers’ comp claim cover?
Generally, your workers’ comp benefits should cover any injuries caused by your employment, including any work-related illnesses. While illnesses may be more difficult to prove, you should be compensated. Pre-existing injuries won’t generally be compensable, but you may receive compensation if your work conditions agitated your pre-existing injury or illness.
I think I caused my workplace accident. Will I still be eligible for benefits?
Generally, it doesn’t matter if you caused your accident. Workers’ comp covers anyone who was injured at work and needs benefits. The few exceptions to this rule include intentionally harming yourself or abusing drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident.
How will I receive my workers’ compensation benefits?
Most people choose to receive their benefits as a weekly benefit, much like their pre-injury income. In some cases, however, you may wish to receive your benefits as a lump sum settlement. While this is an option, keep in mind that you may lose your right to change your benefits if your condition worsens.
Our Results
Over $140 Million Recovered — and We’re Just Getting Started.
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$1 Million Workers Slip and Fall
After hearing, the Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner entered an award fully in favor of the Claimant finding him permanently and totally disabled. The Decision resulted in an award with the present value of in excess of $1 million. In addition, the Defendants were ordered to pay the Claimant’s medical expenses for the remainder of his life.
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$450,000 Partial Commutation
In 2013, our client was a truck driver who was fatally injured in a tragic auto accident. He was married at the time and as a result his wife was entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits. Those benefits would end upon her death or shortly after she were to remarry. The surviving spouse was finding it difficult to live on the weekly Workers’ Compensation benefits and for other reasons wanted to have the money paid in a lump sum.
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Workers’ Comp Appeal Results in Settlement
Pothitakis Law Firm pursued this claim for in excess of three and a half years. Mr. Pothitakis conferenced with the claimant’s doctors and obtained reports over those years to put the claimant in the best position to obtain a favorable result at hearing. When the initial decision was inappropriate, Pothitakis Law Firm filed an appeal and was successful on that appeal.