Last Updated: 2/1/2024

Most employees who are injured in Iowa are covered under their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Sometimes employers don’t like to pay these insurance premiums, but know they need to protect their workers in case of an injury on the job. Employers may tend to be concerned about workers that are injured, because there is a chance that their premiums will increase due to a new claim.

What Should You Do if You are Hurt at Work?

Construction worker injured and foreman calling for helpKeep in mind if you are hurt on the job you have 90 days to tell your employer of the incident.  If 90 days passes without your employer having knowledge of your injury, you may not be entitled to benefits.

Once you inform your employer, the first report of injury needs to be filed with the workers’ compensation commissioner.  This needs to done within four days of you informing your employer about the injury. Your employer may not be concerned with reporting the accident so follow up to make sure it was reported.  From here your employer can either help or get in the way your case. There is no guarantee that your employer will cooperate and be willing to pay benefits. This can cause a lot of problems for you and your injury claim.

How Can You Protect Your Right to Recover Benefits for Your Injury?

It is a good idea to document everything your employer does or says to you in a journal of some sort.  If you make notes of everything that happens in your case, it may help you in the end, especially if your employer is being difficult and fights everything so they don’t have to pay you benefits.

If your employer isn’t giving you any help you may decide to file a petition against them with the workers’ compensation commissioner. There are time limits to file a petition so make sure to move forward with your case if your benefits are being denied.  If you wait too long you will run into the chance of missing the statute of limitations and your case will be over before it started.

Where Can You Learn More About Iowa Workers' Compensation Laws?

If you or a loved one have been injured at work Walker, Billingsley & Bair is here to help answer your questions.  Iowa Workers' Compensation Attorney Corey J. L. Walker practices primarily in workers’ compensation law and is dedicated to giving your case the personal attention that it needs.  Also, he offers a book about Iowa workers' compensation at no cost, risk or obligation.  The book is called “Iowa Workers’ Compensation- An Insider’s Guide to Work Injuries” which includes 7 Deadly Mistakes to Avoid if You are Hurt at Work.  To order your copy go to www.IowaWorkInjury.com or Call Now 641-792-3595.  Corey offers his Iowa work comp. book at no cost because he has seen too many hard working Iowans from Des Moines, Newton, Marshalltown, Ft. Dodge and throughout the state of Iowa hurt on the job make mistakes which cost them thousand of dollars.  Iowans hurt at work are beginning to realize that the insurance company is not there to help them and that they should learn about Iowa's workers compensation laws.  Finally, there is a book about Iowa workers compensation that you can review in the comfort of your own home with no risk or pressure.  For immediate assistance call 641-792-3595 and ask for Corey or Erik. 

Corey Walker
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With over 28 years legal experience, Corey has been recognized for his work as an injury attorney.