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If you’ve been approved for workers’ compensation benefits, you can breathe a sigh of relief. While you are unable to work, you’ll still be able to support yourself. But you may not be aware of what areas will be covered by your benefits. Read on to learn more about what you can expect to receive when you begin collecting workers’ compensation.

Replacing Your Income

The amount of compensation you will be able to receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and your weekly income before being injured. Injuries are classified into six different categories:

  • Temporary Total Disability – These benefits are available for injuries lasting at least four days. The injured employee will receive up to 80 percent of his or her income, but not more than the weekly maximum of $1,500, until he or she is able to return to work or find other reasonable employment.
  • Temporary Partial Disability – If an injured employee is in recovery but able to work at a lesser-paying position, he or she will be able to obtain up to 66 percent of the difference in income until he or she is able to return to the pre-injury position.
  • Healing Period – Here, any worker who is permanently disabled due to a work injury or illness will receive 80 percent of his or her income from the date of the accident, until he or she is able to return to work, receives a permanent diagnosis, or finds gainful employment.
  • Permanent Partial Disability – This is available to injured employees who were permanently disabled but will still be able to work. They will collect up to 80 percent of their prior weekly income, without exceeding the $1,500 limit, from the day the healing period benefits end until they reach the allotted number of weeks based on Iowa guidelines.
  • Permanent Total Disability – When an injured employee is left permanently disabled and no longer able to work any type of job, he or she can receive 80 percent of his or her pre-injury income, no more than the maximum of $1,500, for as long as he or she is considered permanently disabled.
  • Death – These benefits are available to spouses or dependent children from the date of the victim’s death until the spouse remarries, or for life, and until the dependent children reach eighteen years of age. The amount will be up to 80 percent of the deceased’s weekly income, not exceeding $1,500 per week.

Classifying your injury can be a complex process, which is why it is important to include all relevant medical information in your initial claim for Iowa workers’ compensation benefits.

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Coverage of Your Medical Costs

Workers’ comp will supplement your lost income, but it will also cover medical expenses incurred as a result of your injuries. These expenses include but are not limited to the following:

  • Copays
  • Hospital bills
  • Occupational or physical therapy
  • Medical equipment
  • Adjustments to your home to accommodate medical equipment
  • Prescription medications
  • Transportation costs to and from doctor visits

Your employer will have designated a doctor to treat your injuries. In the event that you disagree with the diagnosis of the employer-provided physician, you may obtain a second examination.

 

Damages Not Covered by Iowa Workers’ Comp Benefits

Workers’ compensation coverage is designed to cover only the economic costs associated with your injury, which include supplemental income and medical expenses. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life, will not be covered when determining the amount of benefits you will receive.

To obtain compensation for non-economic losses, you would have to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party.

 

Reach Out to an Iowa Workers’ Comp Lawyer

If you would like more information about which workers’ compensation benefits you’re eligible for, or if you believe your worker’s comp insurer has failed to provide the benefits you’re entitled to, contact a knowledgeable Iowa workers’ comp lawyer at Pothitakis Law Firm, PC at 1-866-753-4692, or fill out the contact form below.