If you are injured at work, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure you are covered under Iowa workers’ compensation:
- Immediately following a work accident, report the incident to your supervisor regardless of whether you think you need prompt medical attention “in the moment.” Sometimes, an injury that seems like nothing, can turn into something big in the days or weeks following the accident so it is better to be safe than sorry. Your employer will work with you to complete an incident report so that you have a record of the event within the necessary time frame to avoid the denial of workers’ comp benefits should you need them.
- If you start feeling worse instead of better following a work injury, it is important to request medical attention. Your company will provide you with a referral to an approved doctor for evaluation and you will receive correspondence from the workers’ compensation insurance carrier with information about you claim, including a claim number and contact information for inquiries regarding authorized treatment, handling medical bills and lost wages, and other questions you may have.
- Keep in mind that the adjuster assigned to your claim is working for the insurance company, so it is really in your best interest to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to explain what your rights are and what benefits you are entitled to when you are injured at work. It is much better to involve a workers’ comp attorney early in the process, but if you need help at any stage it is important to to seek an attorney with experience handling workers’ compensation claims.
- If you are denied coverage, a workers’ compensation attorney can often successfully litigate your case so that your medical bills and temporary disability benefits are paid. Don’t give up!
If you or a family member has been injured at your Iowa workplace, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation law offices of Stoltze & Stoltze PLC for immediate assistance. We have helped hundreds of Iowa workers and their families get the benefits they deserve when they are hurt at work. We can also pursue personal injury compensation in cases where your injury involved a third party. Call us today at 515-244-1473 or email us and we will contact you promptly.
