A work injury does not only cause disruptions to your career and finances but also to your health and overall well-being. The Iowa Worker’s Compensation is designed to get you back to work as soon as possible by compensating you for some of those losses. However, Worker’s Compensation also limits the amount of money that you can receive from your employer. Below are the different types of benefits that are available through workers compensation.
Temporary Disability Benefits
Temporary disability benefits in Iowa are paid to employees who need time off work because of being treated for a work injury. Your first three days off work will not be paid unless you need a total of 14 days off work.
How Much Does Iowa Workers Comp Pay?
You will receive approximately 80% of your week’s wages after tax. However, by law, you cannot receive more than a certain amount each year. As of 1 July 2016, the maximum weekly benefit is approximately $1680 per week for temporary disability compensation.
Permanent Disability Benefits
If you have a condition that is not expected to improve significantly, you will be evaluated by a doctor for a permanent disability. If it is found that you are permanently or totally disabled, you will continue to receive your weekly payment at your temporary total wage for as long as you are disabled. This, however, is reserved for people with severe injuries and leave them unable to have any kind of successful employment.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
If you are not entirely disabled, but you do have a permanent impairment, you could be eligible for a permanent partial disability award. The Iowa workers compensation pays for scheduled disabilities and body as a whole disability. As of July 2016, the maximum weekly benefit for this is $1553.
Scheduled disabilities pay for disabilities of certain body parts such as the hands, feet, arms, legs, fingers, and toes. This disability also includes compensation for loss of sight or hearing and the disfigurement of the face and head. It also consists of 80% of your weekly net wages for a number of weeks which will be determined by the state.
The body of the whole award is when you have a partial disability that doesn’t appear on the schedule. You will receive a disability rating which takes into account several factors such as the nature of the disability, your age, loss of earning capacity as a job qualification and skill. The compensation for this is also 80% of your net weekly wage for up to 500 weeks depending on the disability rating. So, be sure to find out if you can receive your workers comp benefits.
