According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.8 million private industry workers and over half a million public sector workers were injured in 2015. In the same year, workers’ comp insurers spent $1.5 billion on opioids, with injured workers accounting for 13 percent of their total opioid pharmacy costs in the U.S. In a… Read More »
New Iowa Workers’ Compensation Law Impacts Workers
Yesterday, new Iowa workers’ compensation legislation was passed, which will go into effect July 1st. House File 518, was signed into law by Governor Branstad ringing in broad changes to the state’s workers’ compensation system affecting Iowans injured on the job. Business groups support the changes saying it will help lower their costs and keep… Read More »
Workers’ Comp Mistakes to Avoid
A workers’ compensation claim may be denied for various reasons. The most common are missed deadlines or errors in the necessary documentation. To make sure you are off to a good start, you will want to avoid these common mistakes. If you are injured at work, you must report your injury promptly. Iowa law requires… Read More »
Iowa Lawmakers and Businesses Seek Cuts to Workers’ Compensation
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… Read More »
Preparing for Your Workers’ Compensation Deposition
Following a work injury, an insurer is unlikely to approve workers’ compensation benefits until they make a determination that benefits are warranted. A worker may be required to submit to a deposition detailing the circumstances of their workplace accident including information regarding medical treatment they have received and a doctor’s diagnosis. Although a deposition can… Read More »
Compensation for Injuries Beyond Workers’ Comp
Workers compensation provides wage and medical benefits to employees injured on the job. Although workers’ compensation is typically the only benefit many workers will receive following an injury, there are exceptions. Situations that may enable you to pursue damages in addition workers’ compensation fall under third party liability claims or incidences where your injury was… Read More »
Damages in a Personal Injury Claim
The damages that are available in a personal injury claim can vary. In general, your personal injury damages may include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, wrongful death and loss of companionship. Paying for Medical Bills Following an Injury Accident Medical compensation is payable to a plaintiff for medical bills… Read More »
Construction Workers at Risk for Musculoskeletal Injuries
With the weather holding in the Des Moines area, construction work inside and outside has continued unabated. Unfortunately, the frenetic pace can lead to debilitating workplace injuries. In fact, despite improvements over the last couple of decades, construction workers remain at high risk for on-the-job injuries to tendons, joints, muscles and nerves. Usually these injuries… Read More »
Denied Workers’ Compensation? NFL Players Feel Your Pain
Even high paid football players are subject to workers’ compensation which bars workers from suing employers for work-related injuries and illnesses requiring all claims to go through the workers’ comp system. Take the case of punter Brett Hartmann of the Houston Texans whose career came to a screeching halt when his foot caught between seams… Read More »
Worker Fatalities Increase in 2015
According to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the total number of workplace injuries in the U.S. increased in 2015. A total of 4,836 of these injuries proved fatal, a slight rise over the 4,821 work fatalities reported the previous year, although 2015 marked the most work-related fatalities since 2008. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck… Read More »
