|
Edward J. Keane |
"What Do I Do if I'm Injured in the Workplace?"Certain industries in Iowa are more susceptible to workplace injuries than others. Obviously, if you’re employed in construction, work in farming, or make your living in a machine shop you are much more like to sustain a workplace injury than an accountant or a lawyer, but workplace injuries can really occur anywhere. The good news is that nearly every business in the Hawkeye State is required to either carry worker’s compensation insurance or register for relief from insurance—in which case, they are self-insured and still liable for workplace injuries and accidents. Many worker’s comp claims are handled without dispute, but in the event that your employer or insurer denies or minimizes your injury, it’s important that you take steps from the beginning to ensure that your claim remains viable. These measures can be invaluable if you later need to involve the services of a professional Iowa worker’s compensation attorney. Reporting the Injury – The first step in a worker’s compensation claim is to report the injury to your employer as soon as practical. If you only become aware of the injury in your off hours, do not delay obtaining medical attention. However, if you can reach your supervisor or manager in the evening or over the weekend, contact them and let them know that you have sustained an injury while working. For worker’s compensation insurance purposes, your employer or their insurer may prefer for you to go to a particular hospital, walk-in center, or clinic for your initial visit. Try to Resolve Disputes – If you are not satisfied with the worker’s compensation doctor that you are seeing, or your claim is denied by the insurer, tell your employer what has occurred and see if they are willing to resolve it. Worker’s comp battles can damage employee/employer relationships, so before you call an attorney, you should at least give your employer the chance to make things right. Make Written Notes – You should try to note as much as you can about the conditions of the workplace at the time of the incident. This should include:
If possible and you have a camera or cell phone with a camera function, you may even take photographs or record video of the accident scene. This may become useful if you later need to involve the services of an attorney. Consider Retaining the Services of an Attorney - Not all worker's comp claims require you to involve an Iowa workers' compensation lawyer. However, if your employer or the insurer denies your claim, if you don't feel that you're receiving adequate medical care, or you believe that a doctor has indexed your partial disability at a lower level than you believe appropriate, you may need to hire a lawyer. In many cases, unions will notify their attorneys for any member's workplace injury as a precaution. In Iowa, most worker's compensation disputes are handled through the Division of Worker's Compensation. However, depending on the nature of the complaint, it may be recommended to file disputes through a qualified Iowa worker's compensation attorney. To schedule an appointment with a reputable, experienced Sioux City, IA personal injury attorney, contact the Law Office of Edward J. Keane at 888-501-5628. Mister Keane represents clients in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa.
|