When to Consult a Disability Lawyer

 

Workers’ compensation is a field with many layers of complexity. This is apparent when you look at the various definitions of “disability” regarding benefits and coverage. There are ten distinct types of disability coverage under workers’ compensation law. That fact alone is enough to make any layperson realize they should seek the services of disability lawyers in Iowa.

But how do you know when you should seek out disability lawyers and the support they can provide? When can you be certain that it’s not too late to protect your rights and get the fair compensation you deserve? The team at The Law Offices of James P. Hoffman is going to answer that question.

The honest and straightforward answer is you should contact a lawyer the minute the thought enters your mind. If you feel that there’s a need to file a disability claim, then having legal representation at your side will ensure all the details are covered. It will also ensure that you don’t get lost in the paperwork or steamrolled by your employer’s insurance provider. A lawyer will help you assess your case and assist with the filing. 

If you take the initial steps on your own and the claim is denied. Then that is definitely when you should consult a disability lawyer to champion your cause. An experienced attorney knows how the system operates and how to get it working for you.

Common Questions About Workers’ Compensation in Iowa

Iowa workers’ compensation law can be a dense thicket of legal terms and conditions that is hard for the layperson to decipher. It’s why at The Law Offices of James P. Hoffman, we’ve decided to present the answers to some common questions we receive from clients. 

What injuries does Iowa workers’ compensation law cover?

In this instance, injury is defined as a health impairment resulting from work. It must not be due to the normal wear and tear of day-to-day living. Diseases and hearing loss from employment are also considered injuries.

Who is eligible for compensation?

Employees hurt in Iowa, those under a contract made in Iowa, or whose work is mainly in the state are eligible for benefits from a job-related injury.

Who pays the benefits for a claim?

Employers that purchase private insurance to provide coverage pay the premiums. The insurance company then pays the workers’ compensation benefits to the injured employee.

What benefits are provided?

There are both medical and disability benefits paid under the law. Medical benefits cover reasonable and necessary care for the injury. Disability benefits are not to exceed 80% of an employee’s “spendable earnings,” which is the amount a worker has left over after payroll taxes are deducted from wages.

Permanent Disability after a Work Injury - What Happens Now

It’s not a happy thought to entertain, but if you are ever so severely injured on the job that you can’t work again, you need to consider your course of action. Such momentous planning should be conducted with the assistance of disability lawyers in Iowa.

The Law Offices of James P. Hoffman has a great deal of experience and we’re going to discuss what happens if you’re permanently disabled. In cases of permanent partial disability, you are eligible for 500 weekly payments. However, if you are found to have a permanent total disability stemming from an accident on the job, you can receive lifetime payments.

There are two types of permanent disability in Iowa. One is the traditional situation in which the person cannot perform their job again. The second is known as “odd-lot.” In this case, the worker’s injury makes it incapable for them to gain work in any well-known branch of the labor market.

Disability lawyers can help you file your claim to determine your level of permanent disability. A quality medical opinion on your physical condition and the feasibility of your returning to the workforce is vital. Vocational experts are also very helpful in proving the level of disability.

A compensation lawyer can help you make your case and work toward receiving the compensation which you deserve. It’s often not a straightforward matter in the eyes of the law, so having an experienced professional by your side is the route to take.