If you’ve been injured on the job, then it’s important to understand how Iowa workers compensation works. For one thing, workers compensation is only for injuries or illnesses that you have sustained or acquired while on the job. Whether it’s a slip and fall accident or it’s breathing problems that are attributed to exposure in the course of your employment, it’s important to know your rights under the law.
I was Injured on the Job – Now what?
If you have sustained an injury during the course of your employment, it’s important to first seek medical help in order to stabilize your injury and make sure that you don’t exacerbate the problem. Once you have received any necessary medical care, the next thing you need to do is to notify your employer or supervisor of your injury. The time period for this notification is set by law, so it’s important that you take care of this as quickly as possible.
Of course, if your injury doesn’t require immediate medical attention or if it is something that has developed over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, then you will need to report your injury or illness as soon as you discover the problem and realize that it has occurred as the result of your employment.
Do I need a lawyer?
In many cases, you won’t need to hire a lawyer; however, there are definitely times when experienced legal help, such as the services offered by the Law Offices of James P. Hoffman, will be crucial to the outcome of your case. If your employer is working with you and your injury is fairly mild, you’ll probably be fine representing yourself. On the other hand, if you suffered severe injuries or you’ve missed a considerable amount of time from work, a workers comp lawyer can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
What can I expect from workers compensation?
Many people think that if they are approved for workers compensation that they will get all of their medical bills paid as well as receive their full wages. Unfortunately, this is simply not true. Workers compensation will pay for your medical bills that occur from diagnosing your injury as well as treating it. Additionally, in some cases, it might also cover rehabilitation or retraining if it’s necessary in order to enable you to return back to the work force.
In addition to taking care of your medical bills, you can expect to receive about 2/3 of your pay from workers compensation. The exact amount is typically calculated by taking two-thirds of your average gross pay for the 52 weeks preceding your work-related injury; however, there is an annual maximum amount that you can receive in compensation.
Every workers compensation case is different, so make sure you know your rights and that you file your injury with your employer as soon as possible. If necessary, consult an experienced workers comp attorney.
