When you are injured on the job, you have options to recover your lost wages and to get your medical care covered. If you are employed, you should be covered by workers’ compensation. This is helpful because workers’ compensation should provide coverage for your medical care. In addition to this, an approved claim will result in compensation for your lost wages.
If you have to leave work because you get hurt, you should be paid for your full day of work no matter when you leave. On top of this, there may be other compensation you can receive, like coverage for time you’ve missed on the job or payments for new or worsened disabilities.
Temporary total disability
When you cannot work for more than three calendar days, you may be able to seek temporary total disability benefits. These begin on the fourth day and will keep being paid until you are able to return to your job or similar employment. The compensation for your first three days off work will be paid if you have to miss more than 14 days of work due to your injury.
Permanent total disability
If you are hurt badly and are unable to return to work, you may qualify for permanent total disability benefits. These benefits are paid weekly and will continue until your death.
Medical coverage
With any workers’ compensation claim, you should receive coverage for your medical care and medical needs. This may include therapy, surgeries or other treatments deemed necessary for the injuries your illnesses that you’ve suffered as a result of your job.
Payments vary by case, but workers have the option of seeking compensation for lost wages
There are different payment rates for injuries and illnesses based on their severity and the kind of disability that a person has as a result. The weekly rate for disability benefits, including the healing period and permanent partial disability, is 80% of the employee’s spendable weekly earnings. There is a maximum as well, which is something to keep in mind. Iowa’s Guide to Workers’ Compensation has a further breakdown of all the compensation that is available to workers and how it works.
