It is typical that your employer has likely already been over the workers’ compensation system and informed you about the process of filing and handling your own claim. However, some rare cases may require the assistance of an Iowa workers compensation lawyer to handle those claims depending on the severity and complexity of the injury.
When You Wouldn’t Need a Lawyer
If your injury was clearly work-related, whether your fault or a coworker’s fault, there will likely be no dispute on your compensation. This is especially true when the injury doesn’t require you to take off significant amounts of time, extensive medical treatment, or severe injuries. If you are only out of work for a few days you likely won’t receive wage loss benefits.
When You Would Need a Lawyer
If your insurance company or your employer disputes the claim, this is usually an appropriate time to hire a lawyer. If you feel that you are being discriminated against, were injured due to poor working conditions, or were directly harmed by a co-worker or another member of the workplace you will need to gather evidence to support your claims. This simply cannot be done without the legal backing of a workers compensation lawyer, or someone who is professionally trained to handle cases such as your own.
A workers’ compensation lawyer does not charge by the hour, rather they charge between 15-25% of the benefit you were able to obtain. Clearly, this can be worth the money if your initial claim is denied, your ability to work has been compromised, or you are unable to receive the treatment you need. In the end, you will able to receive the help that you deserve and likely receive a higher settlement when working with someone who knows this particular form of law, even after paying their fees.