Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Iowa

You don’t deserve to pay thousands of dollars for a workplace injury. If you were hurt while on the job, you have options. In this article, we’ll discuss workers’ compensation and the benefits available to you. Then, we’ll tell you how to get the representation you need.

What Falls Under Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is an employer-paid insurance that covers certain expenses for employees who have been injured while working. If your injury or illness is work-related and not resulting from intoxication, you could receive cash benefits to cover the expenses. Both permanent and temporary employees may be e­­­­ntitled to workers’ compensation.

What Benefits Are Available?

Under workers’ compensation law, you could receive payment to cover all medical expenses related to your workplace injury, including:

• Surgical expenses
• Dental expenses
• Osteopathic expenses
• Chiropractic expenses
• Podiatric expenses
• Physical therapy expenses
• Nursing expenses
• Ambulance and hospital expenses
• Transportation expenses

You may even receive compensation for lost wages. You need a skilled lawyer to advocate for this coverage for you.

Temporary Disability Benefits

Temporary disability weekly benefits are available for employees who must miss work for more than three days as a result of their workplace injury. If you can’t work at all during the time period, you’re eligible for temporary total disability (TTD) benefits, which can’t exceed more than 80% of your weekly earnings.

If you can work during the time period, but only at a lesser-paying job, you’re eligible for temporary partial disability benefits (TPD). These benefits are around 66% of the difference between your average weekly pay at the time of the injury and the pay of the lesser-paying job you’re working after your injury.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Workplace injuries that result in permanent disability fall under permanent partial disability (PPD) or permanent total disability (PTD). Injured employees with PPD are eligible for healing period benefits while recovering from the workplace injury, which begin from the first day after the injury and continue until the employee can return to work.

If your injury falls under PTD and you’re unable to return to work, your benefits begin on the date of the injury and continue as long as you remain disabled.

Second Injury Fund Benefits

If you had a prior permanent partial disability (PPD) to a scheduled member (where the state outlines specific timelines for workers’ compensation benefits), and then you sustained a second injury, you may receive Second Injury Fund Benefits.

If the injury doesn’t involve a scheduled member, these benefits are calculated using the percentage rate of your reduced earning capacity post-injury, rather than a specified list used for scheduled member benefits.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits

Employees who need vocational rehabilitation to return to work after a workplace injury may receive vocational rehabilitation benefits. You could receive $100 per week for participating in a vocational rehabilitation program for up to 13 weeks (or 26 weeks, if approved by a workers’ compensation commissioner).

Find Out if You’re Eligible

Don’t wait any longer to fight for the compensation you deserve — contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Peters Law Firm can help you find out if you’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. We’ll gather information about your injury, speak with you about your options, and advocate for you.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Peters Law Firm Today

You can trust the experienced attorneys at Peters Law Firm to handle your workers’ compensation case. We’ve advocated for clients in Council Bluffs and across Southwest Iowa and Eastern Nebraska for over 100 years.

Our dedication to our clients sets us apart from other law firms in the area.

Contact us today or call 712-328-3157 to schedule a free initial consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney.