Our Des Moines Attorneys Are Strong Advocates For Your Iowa Workers’ Compensation Claim

The aftermath of a workplace injury can be a very confusing and worrying time. You may not know what you need to do in order to protect your livelihood after suffering a serious injury on the job. Understand that you do have rights, no matter what your employer may tell you. We can help you get answers to your questions about workers’ compensation claims.

At Loney & Schueller, LLC, our Des Moines workers’ compensation attorneys are strong advocates for the rights of injured workers throughout Iowa. We are prepared to help you pursue the benefits you deserve from workers’ compensation, regardless of your occupation. If you have been injured on the job, we will work with you throughout the entire process as your claim moves forward.

Do Not Settle For Less

The workers’ compensation process provides that workers injured on the job are allowed to recover compensation for their injuries, regardless of who was at fault. Because of this, there are very strict rules that employees must follow in order to obtain the compensation they are entitled to receive.

This is not as easy as it sounds. One wrong move and your claims could potentially be threatened. Additionally, employers and insurance companies routinely work to minimize claims with several tactics, including:

• Denying a claim
• Denying injuries that occurred on the job, especially repetitive trauma injuries
• Undervaluing a claim
• Miscalculating benefit payments
• Underpaying benefits
• Cutting benefits short
• Fighting permanent partial disability (PPD) benefit settlements

It is important that you understand what you need to do to establish your workplace injury. Our Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyers frequently travel statewide across Iowa to meet our clients’ legal needs. We have more than 50 years of combined experience, and we will fight to maximize the compensation you are entitled to and deserve.

Guiding Our Clients’ Informed Decisions In Work Injury Claims

The insurance company is not working in your best interests or considering the full needs of your family. We can help you achieve what you deserve for immediate medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earnings, surgery, rehabilitation, job training, temporary disability and permanent disability, if necessary.

This is a complex area of the law. Our Iowa workers’ compensation attorneys work aggressively for clients’ full benefits, including claims related to:

• Back and neck injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Hip injuries
• Repetitive trauma injuries
• Trucking injuries
• John Deere injuries
• Depression
• Nursing/health care worker injuries
• Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits
• Third-party claim injuries

We will ensure that you are not missing out on any benefits. Our workers’ comp lawyers are diligent and thorough, and we will account for all aspects of your life that could affect your benefit payments.

Who Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Represent

We represent injured workers at John Deere, Bridgestone-Firestone, Alcoa, TMC, Maytag, Hy-Vee, Tyson, ConAgra, Kraft Foods, Nash Finch, General Mills, Quaker Oats, Mercy Medical, CRST, Swift, Walmart, Farner-Bocken, Ajinomoto, HW Brand, Quality Manufacturing, University of Iowa, Jeld-Wen, Wells Manufacturing, Osceola Foods, Don Hummer, Christensen Farms and Feedlots, Monsanto, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Cargill, Ozark Automotive, Pella Windows and Doors, Casey’s General Store, Dee Zee and Winnebago. We also represent those injured on the job while working as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), truckers, service industry workers, school district employees, volunteer firefighters and many others.

Des Moines Lawyers Ready To Address Your Questions After An Accident At Your Workplace

According to Iowa labor law, most employers must provide their employees with workers’ comp benefits. If you have been denied these benefits or just want to learn more about the topic, we invite you to read the questions and answers below:

What should I do if I’m injured on the job to start my workers’ comp claim?

First, inform your manager or supervisor about your injury a maximum of 90 days after your accident. Please consider that this step is fundamental to starting your workers’ comp claim. You also need to receive medical care from the insurance carrier’s list of authorized health care providers, so workers’ comp refunds your medical bills.

Can I file a lawsuit against my employer because my accident was their fault?

Generally, if an employee receives workers’ comp, they waive their right to sue their employer. However, you may consider filing a lawsuit if you haven’t received workers’ comp benefits that are rightfully yours or if the insurance carrier acted in bad faith when settling your case. Every case is unique and deserves close attention and analysis. We can explore your options, verify if you received fair compensation and fight for your workers’ comp benefits.

Will I receive workers’ comp even if the accident was my fault?

Yes. Workers’ comp is no-fault insurance, and you will receive all the benefits required for your recovery. However, some restrictions may apply if:

• An employee’s injury is not work-related
• An employee was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when the accident occurred
• An employee’s injuries resulted from their aggressive behavior against other employees or themselves

In some cases where the injuries caused due to an employee’s aggressive or even depressive behavior were the result of their work activities, workers’ comp insurance may cover such expenses.

My accident was due to a contractor’s negligence. Can I file a lawsuit against them?

Also yes. Workers’ comp insurance does not cover third parties. You may file a civil lawsuit against the negligent third party to recover damages and maximize your compensation.

Can my employer fire me if I’m off work with workers’ comp benefits?

The intimidating answer is that nothing may stop your employer from firing you. This is when our attorneys can help you make your case and see if you may file a wrongful termination lawsuit against your employer. We can help you investigate why your employer fired you and build a solid case to protect your rights.

What Workers’ Compensation Insurers Don’t Want You To Know

After being injured on the job, it is difficult to know what to expect. Once you report your injury and your initial claim is filed, you will begin working with a workers’ compensation insurer. They may tell you they will take care of you, but think again. There are many things workers’ compensation insurers do not want you to know.

When facing a workers’ compensation claim, it is important to have an advocate that you trust to look out for your interests and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Loney & Schueller, LLC, in West Des Moines, Iowa, have more than 50 years of combined legal experience helping injured people obtain the compensation they deserve. We will fight to ensure that you are not shortchanged by your workers’ compensation insurer.

Secrets Of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Companies

When it comes to workers’ compensation claims, what workers’ compensation insurers don’t want you to know could cost you. These are some of the secrets that workers’ compensation insurers do not want you to know.

The true value of your claim – when you file a workers’ compensation claim, your lost wages, medical and rehabilitation expenses will be covered by the insurer. When advising injured workers of their rights, these items are often mentioned, but there are others that are not. Did you know that mileage is covered as well? Reasonable services and supplies are also allowed. Talk to one of our attorneys to learn the true value of your claim.

Interest on underpaid and late payments – a frequent point of contention is when permanent partial disability payments must be paid. According to Iowa law, workers’ compensation insurers must pay interest on all late or underpaid payments. Talk to an attorney about how these are calculated.

There are penalties for unreasonable delays or denied benefits – one of the biggest frustrations for injured workers are the slow response times from insurers. Calls may not be returned for days if at all. Insurers may also deny claims for various reasons. In Iowa, workers’ compensation insurers may be sanctioned for any unreasonable denial or delay in processing your claim.

You can get a second opinion – while you are obligated to use your employer’s medical provider for treatment, once you are given a disability rating, you are entitled to get a second opinion from another doctor. The cost of this exam must be covered by your workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

How A Local Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help

Insurance companies may not tell you everything you are entitled to receive as part of your claim. Their goal is to minimize costs. A workers’ compensation lawyer works to level the playing field by making sure you get ALL the benefits you are entitled to receive.

We hear it all too often that injured workers are frustrated with the system and want to give up. The worst thing you could do is give up because that is exactly what the insurance company wants you to do. Rather than giving up, hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to flip the playing field. The attorneys at Loney & Schueller, LLC, flip the playing field and provide the following guidance to obtain the compensation you deserve:

• We will fight on your side and explain the process step by step so you are not only comfortable in the process but also know exactly what is going on with your claim.
• We will relieve the stress placed on the injured worker and their family in dealing with the insurance company adjuster, the nurse case manager and the hired gun doctors.
• We will deal with medical providers and collection companies seeking payments for medical bills that the insurance company should have paid.
• You will speak to your attorney, and we will answer any questions you may have.
• We will try your case if you are not getting the money your claim deserves.

Can I Afford An Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

We work on a contingency fee agreement, meaning we only receive payment if we recover proceeds on your behalf. If we do not get you any compensation, then you owe us nothing.

Having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney will not only assist you in navigating the workers’ compensation system but also enable you to obtain maximum compensation for your work injuries. Maximum compensation is your most important right and needs to be protected by attorneys that focus solely on Iowa workers’ compensation law and know the claim process inside and out.

Contact Our Iowa Workers’ Compensation Claim Attorneys For A Free Consultation

Our Iowa workers’ compensation claim lawyers represent injured Iowa workers in communities throughout the state. Call us at 515-416-4006, or contact us online for your free consultation with an attorney. All cases are represented on a contingency fee basis, meaning no recovery, no attorney’s fees.