Guide To Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits In Iowa

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the total number of missed workdays due to occupational injuries in the private sector, state government, and local government combined has stayed eerily constant at 1,153,490. That number indicates being injured in an accident at work is more common than the average person might realize. However, it does not mean the workers’ compensation process or the benefits one might receive by filing a workers’ compensation claim are always easy to comprehend. When it comes to disability benefits, the details can be difficult to wade through. Below, we’ll outline some of the more important points about workers’ compensation disability benefits in Iowa.

Are There Caps On Disability Benefits In Iowa?

Yes, there are limits placed on your weekly compensation disability benefit. If you have been injured while on the job resulting in disability, your total weekly compensation benefit cannot exceed 80% of your “spendable earnings.” This refers to the amount that remains after your payroll taxes are subtracted from your gross weekly earnings. Income tax exemptions, marital status, and the nature of disability will play a role in the weekly benefits you might receive.

Types Of Disability Benefits In Iowa:

There are several different types of disability benefits available to injured workers in Iowa. Our attorneys can help you understand the types of disability benefits that may be appropriate for your case.

  • Healing Period (HP): If you are recovering from an injury that produces permanent impairment, you may be eligible for HP benefits. These benefits begin on the first calendar day after your injury occurred (with no waiting period) and continue until you either return to work, have recovered from your injury as much as was anticipated, or are medically able to return to the same type of work you performed prior to your injury.
  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD): TTD benefits may apply when a worker remains out of work for more than three calendar days due to their injury. These benefits apply starting on the fourth day and continue until the employee either returns to work or is medically able to return to similar work. For injured workers who remain off work for more than 14 calendar days, payment from that initial three-day waiting period may apply.
  • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): Sometimes, an injury may result in a worker having to return to work in a role that pays less than their former position. TPD benefits may apply in these cases. The amount a worker would receive under these circumstances is equivalent to 66-and-2/3% of the difference between their average gross weekly earnings at the time of the injury and their actual earnings during their temporary, lower-paid placement. TPD benefits are subject to the three-day waiting period outlined in the TTD section, but in many cases, at least partial wage replacement may be possible.
  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): If an employee is injured in an accident at work that causes permanent functional impairment to their body, PPD benefits may be appropriate.
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD): These benefits are for those who have sustained a work injury that has rendered them incapable of returning to work. These permanent disability benefits will apply for the entire time an employee cannot return to wage-earning employment.

We dedicate ourselves fully to fighting for workers’ rights and ensuring they are treated fairly after an injury. By hiring an attorney focused on workers’ rights, you may be able to file a claim for compensation relating to your work injury and subsequent disability. If you have been injured at work, contact Rush and Nicholson right away.

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