FAQs

Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries and illnesses. This may include employees who regularly work in Iowa or contract to do work in the state of Iowa but are injured out of state. For more information from a workers comp lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA, call now!

Most employees in Iowa are covered under the workers' compensation law. However, certain exceptions may apply, such as independent contractors or specific types of employees like domestic workers. Are you looking for a workers compensation attorney in Cedar Rapids, IA? We are here to help!

Typically, it is best practice to report a work injury as soon as possible, which may include filling out an injury report. However, in Iowa, an injured worker has up to 90 days to notify the employer of a work injury. The time starts when, as a reasonable person, an injured worker knew or should have known that the injury occurred and is related to work. At a minimum, the notice should inform the employer that you suffered an injury while in the course of your employment, at or about a specific time, and at or near a certain location. Additionally, the notification of injury must be made directly to management, supervisor, foreman, company doctor, or nurse, and not merely a fellow co-worker or bystander. If you have any questions, it is important to consult with a workers comp lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2022. In Iowa, workers' compensation benefits include, but are not limited to, medical benefits, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, and vocational training/education benefits in certain situations. If you would like to know more about these benefits, contact Johnson & Legislador PLC where a workers comp lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA is ready to discuss matters further with you.

In Iowa, if your employer has accepted the work injury, they have the right to choose your treating doctors. However, this right is not absolute and in certain situations, a petition can be made to the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commission to request alternative medical care. For more help on this matter, contact a workers compensation attorney in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Medical benefits include all reasonable and necessary medical care required to treat your work-related injury or illness. This can include doctor's visits, surgeries, hospital stays, therapy sessions, medications, medical appliances, and rehabilitation services. In addition, the injured worker is entitled to reimbursement for the mileage to and from medical appointments. If you are having trouble with these items or you have more questions, we have a workers comp lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA ready to help!

Temporary disability benefits are paid while you are recovering from your injury and unable to work. Permanent disability benefits are paid once you have reached maximum medical improvement as determined by the doctors and your injury results in a lasting impairment to the function of the body part that is injured. In many cases, the amount of permanent disability that an injured worker is entitled to is not limited to the percentage of impairment issued. If you want to be sure you are being compensated fairly for your permanent injury it is a good idea to consult with a workers compensation attorney in Cedar Rapids, IA. 

In Iowa, the injured worker must accept or decline the restricted duty work in writing. The worker refusing the offer of work must communicate in writing to the employer stating the reasons why the work offered is unsuitable. Failure to do this may result in the injured worker not being allowed to argue that the offer of work was unsuitable later and may lead to a suspension of temporary benefits. For more help in dealing with this issue, contact Johnson & Legislador PLC where we have a workers comp lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA ready to help you!

Yes. If no weekly benefits (i.e. temporary weekly benefits or permanent disability weekly benefits) have been issued the injured worker must file a workers’ compensation claim within two years from the date of injury. If weekly benefits were issued the injured worker must file a workers compensation claim within three years from when the last weekly benefit payment was issued. 

There are some narrow exceptions to these two- and three-year statute of limitation deadlines. For example, if the work injury involved a “whole body” injury and the injured worker continues to work with the same employer and later the employment terminates, the injured worker may be able to reopen the claim and seek additional benefits beyond those periods. 

Consulting with a workers compensation attorney in Cedar Rapids, IA as early as possible after a work injury will help prevent missing important deadlines and making costly mistakes. However, do not give up hope on your case if the statute of limitation deadline has passed as an attorney can determine if your case fits an exception to those rules. 

It is common for workers’ compensation insurance companies to hire outside companies that provide nurse case management services to help coordinate medical care and to report back to the insurance company with information about you and your medical treatment. While they can be helpful in scheduling appointments, providing reminders, and coordinating transportation, it is wise to remember they work for the interests of the insurance company. If you have more questions about this service, speak with a workers comp lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA today.