What You Need to Know About Workers Compensation
It’s one of many people’s biggest fear: Being injured on the job and suffering repercussions from your employer. Fortunately, workers have rights, and employers have responsibilities. Workers compensation can be an intimidating concept, but if you need Iowa workerscomp,here are the basic facts that you need to know.
What to do if you’re hurt at work
First and foremost, take care of yourself. Seek emergency attention if you need it. Once you’re safe from harm, report the injury to someone with supervisory or management authority immediately. You may have between 2 and 30 days to inform them legally, but it’s not worth the risk to wait. If the injury is a condition that develops over time (like a muscular or respiratory issue), you need to inform a supervisor as soon as you become aware of it. In either case, keep copies of any paperwork or electronic correspondence related to the injury from your employer.
What is covered and who qualifies
Workers comp coverage varies from state to state, but most on-the-job injuries are covered. The major exceptions are injuries sustained while the employee is intoxicated or on illegal drugs, self-inflicted injuries, or injuries sustained in criminal activity at work, such as a fight.
Most full-time employees are eligible, but some people like business owners, casual employees or independent contractors are not covered by Iowa workers comp.
The difference between workers’ compensation and state disability
The simplest difference between workers comp and disability is that disability is paid for medical issues or injuries that prevent you from working, not medical issues or injuries that you sustained at work.
When you need to hire a lawyer
If your case is denied, you don’t receive wage payments, wage payments are lower than expected, your case is in “limbo” and not getting a response, or you find it all confusing, it’s a great idea to seek legal help.
When you can bypass workers’ compensation and sue an employer
Generally, workers comp is a settlement that fulfills employers’ legal obligations, but if you were injured because of negligent hazards at the workplace, or intentional or reckless actions by your employer, you should forego seeking workers comp and hire an attorney to sue.
There are lots of ins and outs to workers comp, but the bottom line is this: If you are injured or become ill as a result of your job, it is in your best interest to start a workers compensation case.
