Leon Workers Compensation Attorneys

Navigating legal obstacles after a workplace injury can be challenging. Our workers' compensation attorneys are here to support you. With unwavering dedication and specialized expertise, our team is committed to advocating for the rights of injured workers. We ensure you receive fair treatment and proper compensation, allowing you to focus on recovery.

Help! Collections Agencies are Coming After Me for Work Injury Bills

Having your work injury-related medical bills turned over to collection companies is an all too common occurrence in Iowa work comp cases. Here's what can be done:

Steps to Prevent Collection Actions

If you have a petition pending before the Iowa Workers' Compensation agency, then under Iowa Code § 85.27, no healthcare provider can commence any collection action against you while your case is pending. Therefore, you or your attorney should send a letter and a copy of the filed petition to the collection agencies to prevent further actions, lawsuits against you for medical bills, etc.

Importance of Timely Response

Ignoring collection letters and calls can be a costly mistake. If bills are not timely submitted, you could end up being responsible for medical bills that your employer's workers' compensation insurance company should have paid. Remember, you only have two years from the date of your injury to file a petition (unless you have been timely paid Temporary Total Disability (TTD) or Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits). Delaying this process can result in being stuck with these medical bills.

Handling Medical Bills

Whether you have a pending petition or not, request an itemized copy of the bill they seek to collect. If the bill is for work injury-related medical care, promptly send it to the insurance adjuster and request immediate payment. Sometimes insurance adjusters may ignore medical bills until they are forced to deal with them. You should also call the medical provider or their collection company to ensure they have the correct contact information and claim number for the insurance adjuster. This often resolves the issue, though it requires effort on your part.

Can a Calcaneus Fracture Cause Permanent Disability Under Iowa Work Comp?

A calcaneus injury, or a fractured heel bone, can be one of the most disabling injuries an Iowa worker can sustain. Surgery is often required to stabilize the fractures, involving the placement of hardware like plates and screws. Many workers with this injury never return to work, or if they do, they often have permanent restrictions such as only standing for short periods or needing a sedentary job.

Benefits for Calcaneus Fracture

If you or a loved one has sustained a calcaneus fracture, you are entitled to permanent disability benefits under Iowa law. The amount you receive depends on various factors:
- If you fractured both heels.
- If you develop secondary issues like back, hip, or other spine problems due to an altered gait.
- If you develop mental health issues like depression or anxiety due to the injury.
- If you have had a prior injury to another part of your body, potentially qualifying you for the Iowa Second Injury Fund.

Determining Benefits

The amount of benefits depends on whether the injury is considered a scheduled member injury or an industrial disability case. 
- Scheduled Member Injury: Your doctor assigns a percentage of disability to your foot, which is then multiplied by the total value of a foot (150 weeks). For instance, a 10% permanent impairment rating results in 15 weeks of permanent benefits.
- Industrial Disability Case: In cases where multiple factors are involved, your injury may be treated as a non-scheduled industrial disability. Here, a 10% impairment rating is only one of many factors (age, education, restrictions, ability to return to your job, wages, etc.) considered in determining the percentage of 500 weeks you receive or potentially even permanent total disability. For example, you might have a 10% rating to your foot but be owed 50% industrial disability, resulting in 250 weeks of PPD benefits.

Can Workers’ Compensation Payments Just Stop?

Workers’ compensation payments cannot just stop without a legitimate reason. It's crucial to understand your rights as an employee in Iowa regarding work injury payments.

When Benefits Can Stop

The most common reason for stopping benefits is when the employee returns to work, indicating recovery and the ability to resume normal job duties. Iowa law requires a 30-day written notice with an explanation for stopping benefits in other circumstances, such as when significant improvement from the injury isn’t anticipated or when the employee is medically capable of returning to similar work.

Disputes and Wrongful Termination of Benefits

Stopping benefits without providing notice can warrant seeking legal advice. If benefits are wrongfully terminated, the employee might be entitled to interest or penalty benefits. Most disputes must be brought before the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner, where both sides present evidence in a hearing. Proof must specifically address the wrongful termination of benefits.

Getting Legal Assistance In Leon

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 Leon 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.