You need to prioritize getting medical help after your workplace accident. But once you are more stable, you need to remember to report the injury to your employer if they are not aware of what happened. In Iowa, you have 90 days to give notice of your injury.
Why does the 90-day rule matter?
The law determined the timeline for a reason. By requiring notice within 90 days, the system ensures that:
- The injury is recent enough to be connected to the workplace accident.
- Your employer will have their chance to investigate.
- Your employer will process the workers’ comp claim in a timely manner.
Missing the deadline means your employer or their insurer may deny your claim outright because it will be hard, if not impossible, to prove the relationship between your injuries and the accident after 90 days.
How do you provide notice?
Iowa law allows verbal notice, but a written notice may be better. You want tangible proof that you complied with the 90-day notice rule. Here are more alternatives to give notice:
- Email: Fast and timestamped plus you have a digital record
- Letter: Sent via mail or delivered in person
- Employer accident form: Some companies have internal incident forms
Make sure to include key information like the date, time, exact area where the accident happened and how the injury happened.
What happens after?
Your employer will file a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Division. This needs to be within four days of learning about your injury, so make sure you follow up during this period. Note that the FROI is necessary for injuries that cause the employee to miss more than three workdays or result in permanent injury or death. This step formally begins the workers’ compensation process.
Protect your right to benefits
Failing to report within 90 days can shut the door on your claim. If you are not sure how to proceed or if your employer is making it hard for you to report the issue, a workers’ compensation attorney can help make sure you do not miss the deadline. Do not let anyone get in the way of you receiving your benefits.
