Bondurant Workers Compensation Attorneys

Facing the legal intricacies after a workplace injury can be overwhelming. Our workers' compensation attorneys are ready to help. With unwavering dedication and specialized expertise, our team is committed to protecting the rights of injured workers. We diligently work to secure fair treatment and the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Understanding Workers' Compensation for Rotator Cuff Injuries

A rotator cuff injury can significantly impact your ability to perform your job duties. If your injury was caused by work-related activities, you are likely eligible for workers’ compensation insurance, which also covers necessary surgeries. Here’s what you need to know about workers' compensation for rotator cuff injuries in Iowa.

What is a Rotator Cuff Injury?

A rotator cuff injury involves damage to the group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. This injury can cause tears and stretches, leading to symptoms such as:

- Pain
- Loss of mobility
- Arm weakness

These symptoms can complicate performing basic tasks and even interfere with routine activities, including sleep.

Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries typically develop over time rather than from an acute incident. Degeneration of the tendon, often due to repetitive overhead motions or lifting heavy materials for extended periods, is usually to blame. This makes warehouse and construction workers particularly susceptible to these injuries.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Rotator Cuff Injuries

In Iowa, workers’ compensation insurance is designed to cover all injuries sustained during work-related activities, including rotator cuff injuries. This insurance also covers surgeries deemed necessary by a medical professional.

Types of Benefits for Rotator Cuff Injuries

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation insurance covers all reasonable medical costs related to recovery and rehabilitation from work-related injuries. This includes surgeries required to repair damage, such as a torn rotator cuff.

Disability Benefits

If your rotator cuff injury results in missed work, you may be eligible for disability benefits. These benefits help cover lost wages during your recovery period.

Surgery and Medical Procedures

If your doctor recommends surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, this is considered a medically necessary procedure and should be covered by your workers' compensation benefits. However, treatments that are experimental or elective, such as acupuncture not recommended by a doctor, may not be covered.

Following Doctor’s Orders

When receiving workers' compensation benefits, it is crucial to follow all of your doctor’s instructions. This includes undergoing necessary surgeries, adhering to prescribed recovery protocols, and not returning to work until your doctor approves. Attempting to return to work early against medical advice can jeopardize your health and workers' compensation claim.

Filing Your Workers' Compensation Claim

The first step is to notify your employer of your injury. Ensure you have medical evidence linking your rotator cuff injury to your work-related activities. Without this direct connection, you may not be eligible for benefits.

What If You Get Fired While on Workers’ Compensation?

Being terminated while receiving workers’ compensation is a concern for many injured workers. Understanding the circumstances of your termination is crucial.

Terminated Due to Work Injury

If you are fired immediately after an injury, during your recovery, or after reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI) with permanent work restrictions, you need to understand your rights. If fired for reasons unrelated to the injury, such as misconduct or performance issues, your employer may be attempting to reduce their liability.

Legal Protections

Iowa is an at-will employment state, meaning you can be fired for any reason. However, protections under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or a union's collective bargaining agreement may apply. These protections might help you regain your job or seek additional damages.

Filing for Unemployment

If you are fired while receiving workers’ compensation, you might consider filing for unemployment benefits. Here are some key points:

1. Ready, Willing, and Able to Work: You must be able to perform available jobs in the open labor market, even if not your previous position.
2. Work Credits: You need sufficient quarterly work credits to qualify. If you were off work for an extended period due to injury, ensure Iowa Workforce accounts for this.
3. Timing: You cannot receive both TTD (temporary total disability) benefits and unemployment simultaneously. Filing too early may waste potential benefits.

Workers' Compensation for Volunteers in Iowa

Iowa law generally requires individuals to be employees to receive workers' compensation benefits. However, exceptions exist for certain volunteers, including:

- Volunteer firefighters
- Emergency personnel
- Reserve police officers
- Ambulance drivers
- Volunteer medical personnel

These volunteers are compensated based on their regular job pay or a percentage of the statewide average weekly wage.

Other Volunteer Situations

Other volunteers, such as students in work-study programs, elected officials, and inmates working for public or charitable facilities, might also be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Different wage laws apply to these groups compared to medical personnel.

Getting Legal Assistance In Bondurant

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 Bondurant 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.