Iowa workers’ compensation laws are under siege by area business groups and lawmakers who believe the state’s system favors injured workers at the expense of Iowa businesses. Iowa workers’ compensation has been described as a system out of control.
At a recent public hearing, business representatives expressed concern over rising insurance premiums, abuses in the system and the fact that more of their employees are pursuing legal remedies when denied benefits – driving up their costs. Some describe the current system as litigious lottery, unsustainable and a cautionary tale.
However, a Des Moines Register analysis of Iowa workers’ compensation does not support those claims. It appears that insurance premiums in the state have not increased significantly, nor have claims or medical costs associated with workplace injuries. In fact, according to the data, employers in the state enjoyed a 4.7 percent decrease in premium costs last year, with many companies paying some of the lowest costs since the 1980s.
If the proposed legislation passes, workers’ compensation benefits will most certainly be reduced, affecting many Iowa workers who are injured on-the-job. On top of the savings realized from trimming benefits, employers will see reductions in late fees when benefits are not paid on time. Furthermore, proposed limits on attorneys’ fees for those who seek legal help for denied workers’ compensation claims will discourage litigation on behalf of injured workers.
If you or a family member has been injured at work, contact the Law Offices of Stoltze & Stoltze PLC for assistance. Our Des Moines Iowa workers’ compensation lawyers have helped many injured Iowans get the benefits they are entitled to when they are hurt in a workplace accident or succumb to a work-related disease or condition. Call today at 515-244-1473 for a free initial consultation of your case.
