Urbandale Workers' Compensation Attorneys

When workplace injuries occur, navigating the legal complexities can be overwhelming. That's where our Urbandale workers' compensation attorneys come in. Whether you were injured at MercyOne, Urbandale Schools, Wells Fargo, DeVries, or Public Works, our dedicated experts will advocate for injured workers' rights, ensuring fair treatment and proper compensation.

When you’ve been injured at work in Iowa, comprehending the complexities of workers' compensation and how your impairment rating is calculated is essential. This guide provides an overview of the impairment ratings process, explores common work-related injuries like bulging discs and shoulder injuries, and explains how compensation is determined.

Impairment Ratings Overview for Workers' Compensation in Iowa

What is an Impairment Rating?

An impairment rating is a medical assessment given to injured workers to evaluate the severity of their impairment, directly impacting the amount of compensation they receive. An impairment is defined as the inability to use bones, muscles, joints, limbs, ligaments, and tendons or control the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves as well as before the injury.

How Are Impairment Ratings Determined?

Impairment ratings are assigned by medical professionals using the American Medical Association (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. Doctors also consider activities of daily living (ADL) when assessing the patient's loss of function. These activities include personal hygiene, communication, physical activity, sexual activity, sensory function, travel, and sleep.

The impairment rating considers how the impairment limits job functions. For example, a 30% impairment rating might be significant for physically demanding jobs like carpentry but less so for sedentary roles.

The Evaluation Process

Doctors record medical histories, perform physical evaluations, check vital signs, and inquire about any issues with ADL. They also consider medications and may refer patients to specialists for chronic injuries.

Bulging Discs and Workers' Compensation

Bulging discs, or herniated discs, are common work-related injuries. To receive workers' compensation benefits, the worker must prove that a workplace accident or repetitive work-related tasks caused the bulging disc.

Symptoms of a Bulging Disc

- Pain that may spread to the buttocks, hips, legs (lower back), shoulders, or arms (neck).
- Weakness and numbness accompanying the pain.
- Discomfort that worsens with activities like lifting, bending, walking, extended sitting, standing, or at night.

Causes and Claim Process

Bulging discs can result from accidents (e.g., falling from a ladder) or repetitive tasks (e.g., improper lifting techniques in manual labor jobs). Age can be a contributing factor, especially for middle-aged and older workers.

Workers should seek immediate medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis. If the injury is linked to work, informing the employer and filing a workers' comp claim is crucial. Approved claims can cover lifetime medical costs and disability benefits, potentially leading to permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits if the injury results in permanent impairment.

Shoulder Injuries and Their Worth Under Iowa Work Comp Law

Shoulder injuries are another common issue in Iowa workplaces, and the value of these injuries is highly dependent on individual circumstances.

Compensation Calculation

Permanent shoulder injuries are compensated based on 500 weeks of benefits. For example, a 20% industrial disability would result in 100 weeks of permanent compensation (20% x 500 weeks). The weekly amount matches the temporary total disability (TTD) rate paid during the recovery period.

Factors Influencing Compensation

- Permanent Impairment Rating: Generally based on range of motion.
- Permanent Work Restrictions: More crucial than the impairment rating.
- Type of Medical Care: Including surgeries and treatments like rotator cuff surgery, labrum repair, or steroid injections.
- Educational Level and Age: Impact earning capacity.
- Earnings and Earnings History: Particularly relevant if the injury prevents returning to the same job.

Practical Considerations

Insurance companies might send compensation details based on the impairment rating, but the actual industrial disability could be higher, especially with significant work restrictions. Consulting a qualified Iowa workers' compensation attorney is recommended before accepting any settlement to ensure fair compensation.

Steps to Take for a Workers' Compensation Claim

1. Seek Medical Evaluation: Immediate medical attention confirms the injury and its connection to work tasks.
2. Inform Your Employer: Report the injury to substantiate your claim.
3. File a Claim: Submit the necessary documentation to the employer’s workers' compensation insurer.
4. Consult an Attorney: Especially for permanent injuries, to navigate the complexities of the compensation process and maximize your benefits.

Getting Legal Assistance In Urbandale

Navigating the complexities of Iowa workers' compensation laws can be daunting, especially during the recovery process from a workplace injury. Seeking guidance from a seasoned Urbandale Workers' Comp attorney is invaluable in ensuring your rights are protected and maximizing your chances of a favorable outcome.

Legal professionals play a pivotal role in gathering evidence, preparing documentation, and advocating for your interests throughout the claims process. Don't risk missing out on the compensation you deserve – enlist the support of a qualified attorney to navigate the complexities with confidence.

The Iowa Workers' Compensation attorney team at Walker, Billingsley & Bair know the importance of protecting your work injury claim from the get-go. That's why we provide this FREE book; Iowa Workers' Compensation - An Insider's Guide to Work Injuries: 7 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Hurt At Work. To learn more about what our legal team will do to help you protect your Iowa work injury claim, contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair to schedule a no-cost consultation - 641-792-3595.