Denied Workers’ Compensation Claims in Iowa

Assisting Iowa Employees with Denied Claims

Workers’ compensation benefits are meant to give you the financial support you need when you suffer an on-the-job injury. Unfortunately, getting the benefits you are entitled to can be a tall order, and many employers and insurance companies make every effort to avoid paying you what you need to cover injury-related expenses.

If your workers’ compensation claim was recently denied, do not panic. You still have options, and you do not need to go through this process alone. Our attorney at the Pothitakis Law Firm has over 20 years of experience and frequently helps Iowans appeal denied workers’ compensations in Iowa. We understand why claims are denied and are well-versed in how to strategically approach an appeal. Our team understands you are going through a difficult time and will pursue all available remedies in our effort to get you the benefits you deserve.

You owe no legal fees unless we win, so call (319) 318-0450 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation today. Se habla español.

Why Are Workers’ Compensation Claims Denied in Iowa?

On the surface, the workers’ compensation eligibility appears straightforward: If you are an employee and suffer a work-related injury, you are generally covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy and qualify for benefits. The reality is that many legitimate workers’ compensation claims are unjustly denied.

Some workers’ compensation claims are denied on genuine grounds. In other cases, denials happen because employers and/or their insurance companies do not wish to pay for benefits and hope the affected employees will not take any further action.

Many Iowans see denied workers’ compensation claims in Iowa because of:

• Expired statutes of limitations. Employees only get set amounts of time to report an injury to their employer and start the claims process. If these time limits lapse, a claim will often be denied.

• A lack of an employee-employer relationship. To get workers’ compensation benefits, you must be an employee at the time of the accident. Independent contractors do not qualify.
• A failure to follow treatment advice. A claim may be denied if there is evidence that the claimant neglected to follow medical advice or seek treatment. Missing appointments or participating in activities that should not be possible due to injuries, for example, could lead to this outcome.
• Disputes over the existence or severity of injuries. State law allows employers to select the medical provider who will evaluate and treat your work-related injuries. These providers may understate the severity of injuries in an effort to pay fewer benefits.
• Disputes over who caused the injury-causing accident. While fault is not the paramount concern when evaluating an Iowa workers’ compensation claim, a claim can be denied if there is evidence the claimant’s intoxication or efforts to harm themselves or someone else led to the injuries.
• Disputes over whether your injury is work-related. Employers and insurance adjusters will often attempt to claim an injury was not actually work-related. They could claim the injuries are related to a preexisting condition or were sustained when an employee was not on the clock, for example.

What Should I Do If My Iowa Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?

There are ways to dispute a denial of benefits in Iowa. Many times, simply going back to the employer or insurance company can resolve the issue. The Iowa workers’ compensation commission encourages “free and open communication” between employee and employer. State data indicates that most workers’ compensation claims can be resolved in this manner; only about a quarter of cases escalated to official claims.

Unfortunately, there are times when the dispute cannot be resolved, and the employee must pursue more official means of what to do when workers' compensation is denied. In Iowa, a worker can file a contested-case proceeding. The state advises injured employees to seek assistance from a workers' compensation attorney if it is necessary to pursue this option. The decision of the commission is binding and the members of the commission are prohibited from offering any advice. Contested case hearings can be lengthy; the most recent report from the Iowa Workplace Development office stated that the average case took 571 days to resolve, and the commission heard about 600 cases in 2015.

Here are some general steps you may consider:

• Internal Appeal: Most states, including Iowa, have a process for internal appeals within the workers' compensation system. You can request a review of the denial by the insurance company or the Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): In Iowa, there may be the option of mediation to resolve disputes. Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party helps facilitate negotiations between you and the insurance company to reach a settlement.
• Formal Hearing: If internal appeals and ADR do not lead to a resolution, you can file a petition for a formal hearing with the Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner. The commissioner will then schedule a hearing where both parties present evidence and arguments.
• Commissioner's Decision: After the formal hearing, the commissioner will issue a decision. If either party is dissatisfied with the decision, they may appeal to the Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner Appeal Decision.
• District Court Appeal: If the commissioner's appeal decision is unfavorable, you have the right to further appeal to the district court. This is a more formal legal process, and you may need to be represented by an attorney.
• Iowa Court of Appeals and Supreme Court: If you are dissatisfied with the district court decision, you can appeal to the Iowa Court of Appeals and, if necessary, to the Iowa Supreme Court. It's essential to note that these higher-level appeals are not automatic, and you may need to obtain permission to appeal.
• Consulting an Attorney: Throughout this process, it's highly recommended to consult with an experienced workers' compensation attorney who can guide you through the legal complexities, gather evidence, and represent your interests effectively.

Keep in mind that many people have been in your position. It is not uncommon for an initial claim to be rejected.

You should not automatically accept the decision, and you may still be eligible to receive benefits. However, you must act quickly. If you have not received any benefits up until this point, you will only have two years from the date of the accident (or the date you discovered a work-related injury) to start the appeals process. If you did receive any benefits related to your injury, you only have three years from the final date of payment to proceed. Get in touch with our team at Pothitakis Law Firm to discuss your case as soon as possible to ensure that you do not miss a deadline.

How Does the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Appeals Process Work?

Appealing a denied workers’ compensation claim in Iowa may involve several steps, and the timeline will vary. First, you must file a petition with the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner and the insurance company.

There may be an opportunity to resolve a denied workers’ compensation claim in Iowa without a formal hearing. You and your legal representative can directly contact the insurance company and attempt to negotiate an acceptable settlement. You can also request a Workers’ Compensation Compliance Administrator who can facilitate mediation.

If an informal agreement cannot be reached, you and the insurance company will participate in a hearing. Each side will submit evidence and present testimony and arguments to the deputy workers’ compensation commissioner assigned to the case. The deputy commissioner will issue a written decision.

Should you receive an unfavorable ruling after an administrative hearing, you can appeal the decision with the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. Additional hearings are rare, but each side will typically have another chance to submit legal arguments. If you receive another unfavorable decision, you have the right to pursue an additional appeal through the applicable Iowa district court.

How Can a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Help Me?

Successfully navigating the workers’ compensation appeals process is immensely complicated and requires a thorough understanding of the relevant laws. You should assume the insurance company has considerable legal resources and will continue to fight to limit what you receive.

We realize that the denial of your claim can add additional stress to an already difficult time. You may worry that your employer will want you to return to work sooner than you should, or that your job may be at risk. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys will help to ensure that you receive the time and medical attention you require. In addition, we will defend you against retaliatory measures from your employer. At this point, you may appeal and provide further information about the claim.

An attorney will work with you to understand all the facts and details of your case and present them effectively when we resubmit your claim. Having an attorney on your side and a fully detailed claim may be all it takes to receive approval. If you are once again denied, we will proceed to a hearing. We will relentlessly pursue an arbitration award from the Iowa Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. If all else fails, we will present arguments to the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. Our workers’ compensation attorneys will prepare your claim and represent you effectively.

Do not wait to discuss your case with a legal professional if your workers’ compensation claim was denied. Call (319) 318-0450 or contact us online today.

Further Reading:

What is the average workers' comp settlement?

If I get injured at work, how do I get paid?

What does subrogation mean?