Asbury Workers Compensation Attorneys

The legal complexities after a workplace injury can be overwhelming. Our workers' compensation attorneys are here to guide you. With relentless dedication and specialized skills, our team is committed to advocating for injured workers' rights. We ensure fair treatment and proper compensation, so you can concentrate on getting better.

What to Do If You Are Injured While Working for Amazon in Iowa

Amazon is one of the largest and most influential companies globally, with significant operations in Iowa, including warehouses in Bondurant, distribution centers in Ankeny, Grimes, and Iowa City, and numerous delivery drivers. Working in these environments can be physically demanding and hazardous. If you're injured while working for Amazon or a subcontracting company, here’s what you need to know:

1. Reporting Your Injury

Under Iowa law, you must notify your employer of your work injury within 90 days of recognizing it. Early reporting is crucial. For example, if you develop back pain while working in the warehouse, immediately inform your supervisor of the specific activities causing the pain, request medical care, and document the injury in writing.

If your employer ignores your injury report, send a letter or email detailing how you were injured at work and requesting medical care. Ensure that your medical providers are aware that the injury is work-related. Failure to provide sufficient notice or to link the injury explicitly to work activities can jeopardize your claim.

2. Seeking Medical Care

If your employer accepts your claim, you are required to see the doctors they designate. Not attending these appointments can result in several issues:

- Lack of Treatment: You won’t receive necessary medical attention.
- Loss of Benefits: You won’t receive workers' compensation benefits unless the company doctor takes you off work.
- Forfeiture of Benefits: Refusing to see the designated doctor can lead to the forfeiture of your benefits.

If the company sends you for an “independent medical examination,” attend the appointment despite potential biases in favor of the employer. Changes in the law in 2017 under Governor Branstad mandate attending these appointments to avoid losing your benefits.

3. Permanent Benefits

Permanent work-related injuries are common and compensation varies based on the type of injury:

- Unscheduled/Industrial Injuries: These include back, neck, spine, brain, nervous system disorders, certain shoulder injuries, and mental health issues. Compensation depends on factors like impairment rating, age, education, work history, and earnings. If your injury prevents you from working in any capacity, you may be entitled to permanent total disability, providing a lifetime weekly check.
  
- Scheduled Member Injuries: Injuries to specific body parts like hands, arms, legs, or eyes are compensated based on the impairment percentage multiplied by the number of weeks designated for that body part.

- Iowa Second Injury Fund: This fund compensates workers with two scheduled member injuries. The first injury doesn't have to be work-related and can be from any prior incident. If your current work injury is another scheduled member injury, you may receive additional benefits based on your loss of earning capacity.

4. Epidural Injections for Back Pain

Workers lifting heavy objects frequently suffer back injuries, which might require epidural injections. These injections should be covered by workers' compensation. If coverage is denied, you can appeal to the Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner (IWCC).

#Understanding Epidural Injections

Epidural injections involve injecting corticosteroids into the epidural space around the spinal cord to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. This treatment can be used for conditions like disc herniations, spinal stenosis, and spondylolysis. Complications such as bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and dural punctures should be discussed with your doctor.

#Workers’ Compensation Disputes

Disputes may arise if a company doctor denies your injury or downplays its severity. If so, you can appeal for alternative treatment through the IWCC. For permanent disabilities, industrial disability ratings consider factors like injury severity, restrictions, skills, education, and work experience. These ratings influence the duration of permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits.

5. Time Limitations for Filing Claims

Adhering to Iowa’s time limitations is crucial for securing workers' compensation benefits:

- Reporting Your Injury: Report the injury within 90 days as per Iowa Code Section 85.23. Immediate reporting strengthens your claim.
- Filing a Petition: File a petition within two years of the injury date. If you’ve received weekly benefits, the filing period may extend up to three years from the last benefit check.
- Post-Approval Deadlines: If you’re entitled to but haven’t received disability benefits, file a claim within two years of the injury date. For those receiving regular benefits, you have three years from the last benefit check to file a claim.

Getting Legal Assistance In Asbury

Navigating the complexities of Iowa workers' compensation laws can be daunting, especially during the recovery process from a workplace injury. Seeking guidance from a seasoned Asbury Workers' Comp attorney is invaluable in ensuring your rights are protected and maximizing your chances of a favorable outcome.

Legal professionals play a pivotal role in gathering evidence, preparing documentation, and advocating for your interests throughout the claims process. Don't risk missing out on the compensation you deserve – enlist the support of a qualified attorney to navigate the complexities with confidence.

The Iowa Workers' Compensation attorney team at Walker, Billingsley & Bair know the importance of protecting your work injury claim from the get-go. That's why we provide this FREE book; Iowa Workers' Compensation - An Insider's Guide to Work Injuries: 7 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Hurt At Work. To learn more about what our legal team will do to help you protect your Iowa work injury claim, contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair to schedule a no-cost consultation - 641-792-3595.