Understand The Process of Obtaining Workers’ Compensation Benefits
What follows is a generalized discussion of how Iowans are compensated when they are injured on the job. This is not meant to be definitive or comprehensive. For specific information applicable to your situation, contact an experienced attorney. At Schott Mauss & Associates, we welcome your inquiry. We have helped a great many Iowans cope and recover financially after workplace injuries.

When You Are Injured on The Job And Afterward
If you are injured on the job, you need to report it to your employer as soon as you can. If you fail to timely report the injury, the employer may have what is known as a “notice” defense. Your notice should include:

• Your name and contact information
• The time and date of your injury
• Where your injury occurred
• The body parts that were injured

Once your employer knows of the injury, the appropriate department or representative should report the injury to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier right away, if applicable. The employer may also need to file a report with the state’s workers’ compensation commissioner.

Types Of Benefits
1. Medical Care
Your employer or its insurer must pay for all reasonable and necessary medical care to treat your injury. Your employer has the right to choose the medical care you will receive. If you are not satisfied, you can request alternate care, and if your employer denies your request, you can file a petition with the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. At Schott Mauss & Associates, we can file this petition for you and help you get the medical care you need.

2. Temporary Benefits (or Healing Period)
In addition to medical care, you may be eligible for compensation for the time you miss while recovering from an injury, or a partial payment if you are working less hours than before during this recovery. These are known as either temporary total disability (TTD) or temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits.

3. Permanency Benefits
Once you have undergone all appropriate treatment after your injury, the employer needs to assess whether you have a permanent condition. At Schott Mauss & Associates, our job is to maximize your recovery in obtaining permanency benefits. In some cases, we will help you develop an explanation of how your injury has impacted your ability to work.

Other forms of compensation may include:

• Lump sum settlements in place of ongoing weekly payments of disability benefits
• Death benefits (if you are a qualifying surviving next of kin of a fatally injured worker)

For Help Filing an Iowa Workers’ Comp Claim Or Resolving A Dispute
If your claim is denied, if payments are terminated or if other complications come up, Schott Mauss & Associates can help. Our dedicated, experienced lawyers and legal staff can help you manage your workers’ compensation claim from beginning to end. Initial consultations are free. The attorneys at Schott Mauss & Associates regularly represent clients in hearings and in state, and administrative courts. We’re here to help you. Call our Des Moines law office at (515) 277-4727 complete our online intake form to request a consultation.