Workers’ compensation is insurance that your employer carries. It provides you with benefits if you suffer an injury at work.
The idea behind workers’ compensation is to prevent employees from suing employers in court for work-related injuries. It also helps to ensure quick benefits to employees who suffer an injury. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system meaning that you get your benefits without having to prove your employer held responsible for causing them.
The system can be quite confusing if you are dealing with it for the first time. It may help to review some common questions people ask about what it is and how it works.
Is Workers’ Compensation a State Program?
Workers’ compensation is not a state program. The state does not provide benefits or the insurance. However, the state does oversee the program. It provides guidelines and rules to ensure the system works properly.
For example, the state will set mandates on which employers must carry the insurance and which employees have coverage under the system. It also will set benefit guidelines, such as how much lost wages benefits will be and how long you can collect them.
Am I Eligible for Benefits?
According to Iowa Workforce Development, you are eligible for benefits if your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, which is required for most employers in the state. There are only a few employees who are not eligible. In addition, if you are an independent contractor, you are not eligible.
What Type of Benefits Can I Get?
All employees making claims and receiving approval will receive medical benefits. This will pay for your medical-related expenses from the injury starting from day one.
You may also qualify for lost wage benefits. You must miss at least three days of work with benefits paying out starting on the fourth day you miss.
It can help to secure an Iowa workers compensation attorney to help ensure you get the full benefits due to you.
Bottom Line
Workers’ compensation should be an easy process, but there is often red tape that could hold up your benefits. It’s essential that you understand how the system works and that you seek legal help if you feel your employer is not treating you fairly.