Workers in Iowa who suffer injuries on the job, including illnesses related to their work, can seek compensation through the state’s workers’ compensation system. However, to secure workers’ compensation benefits, you must file your claim within the statute of limitations and meet other specific deadlines for your case. An experienced Iowa workers’ compensation lawyer can help you meet all the required deadlines and pursue the benefits you deserve.
Iowa’s Statute of Limitations for Workers’ Compensation Claims
Iowa’s workers’ compensation laws set a strict time limit on when you must file your claim. In general, you have two years from the date of your injury to file your claim. However, if you first learn that your condition is related to your work injury some time after the injury occurred, the two years begins on the date of discovery. Additionally, if you were receiving weekly compensation benefits for your work injury, you have three years from the date those benefits were last paid to file.
Failure to file your claim within these time periods will prevent you from recovering compensation. However, it’s important to note that these statutory limitations only apply to the formal filing of your claim with the Iowa Workers’. There are also other deadlines you must meet to be eligible.
Period to Notify Your Employer
Before formally filing your claim, you must notify your employer of your injury. Iowa law requires you to give this notice within 90 days of the date of your injury or when you realized the injury’s connection to your work.
You can either provide this notice verbally or in writing. However, a best practice is to email it to your employer so you have a record of when you sent it. If you send it using a work email address, make sure to BCC your personal email so you have a copy in case you lose access to your work email.
As with the two-year time limit for filing your claim, you must provide this notice to your employer within the deadline to recover compensation for your injuries.
Exceptions and Special Circumstances
There are a few exceptions and special circumstances that may extend the deadlines for filing your claim:
- Occupational Disease – Occupational diseases, such as those caused by long-term exposure to hazardous materials, may extend the time you have to file your claim as it can be difficult to connect the diseases to your work.
- Cumulative Trauma – Repetitive stress and other cumulative trauma injuries don’t necessarily have a specific injury date. In these cases, the time limit begins when you first connect your injury to your work.
- Employer’s Misconduct – If your employer intentionally failed to report your injury to their insurance or attempted to mislead you about your rights, you may receive deadline extensions.
The Importance of Timely Action
Taking timely action is critical when dealing with a workers’ compensation claim in Iowa. Even if you’re unsure whether your injury qualifies, it’s better to report it and seek legal advice than to miss out on the compensation you deserve.
Des Moines, Iowa, Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you suffered an on-the-job injury in Iowa, call Loney & Schueller, LLC, at 515-225-4485 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our lawyers can review your case, go over your legal options, and explain the workers’ compensation process so you know what to expect.
