Personal Injury Law

Iowa Workers' Compensation - What do I need to get benefits?

By Steve Lombardi

I have a pretty good analogy that should help answer this question. Think of a car. If there isn't gas in the tank the car can't run. Workers' compensation benefits works a lot like that car engine. If you don't have a medical opinion relating your injury to a work event then the workers' compensation benefits engine won't start up. Medical opinions are the fuel of the workers' compensation engine. No medical opinion, then no benefits because the workers' compensation engine won't turn over and start. It's that simple.

And that is why it's so very important that you think through how you were injured before giving the doctor a history. Because if you say too little or don't fully describe the precipitating events leading to the injury, then you won't get that positive medical causation opinion and that means, "No you won't get benefits". Saying the wrong thing is like throwing diesel fuel in a gas tank. You've just caused yourself a whole lot of heart burn for the foreseeable future.

So see a lawyer and if there is any question about how you should report the injury.

Know your rights, protect them and guard against those who would twist the facts or mislead you to avoid having to pay what is rightfully yours.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on February 28, 2008 (boomark / email).