You were injured at work in Cedar Rapids and are now questioning what you should do next. The workers’ compensation system is meant to be fair to injured workers, but it’s important that you understand that the benefits are paid by the insurance carrier. You would be dealing with the insurance adjuster, who may not share all details you need. When dealing with workers’ comp in Cedar Rapids, you should avoid the mistakes listed below.
- Not informing the employer: Just like all Iowa employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees, injured workers also have a few duties. One of these duties is to inform the employer about the work injury within 90 days. Your best bet is to notify your company within the shortest time possible.
- Not hiring an attorney: As we mentioned before, the insurance company will not be empathetic to you. You may find inaccuracies in how the claims adjuster is calculating your temporary disability benefits or could be unhappy with the medical care you have been receiving. In such cases, you cannot expect to deal with everything alone, and that’s when a workers’ compensation lawyer can help.
- Choosing your own doctor: The law gives the right to insurance companies to choose the medical care provider for an injured worker, and you have to comply with that. If you feel the care is unreasonable, you can file a Petition for Alternate Medical Care. However, do not skip visiting the doctor assigned to you.
- Not complying with medical advice: You are expected to comply with the medical advice given by the doctor. Let’s say that the doctor has asked you to be on bed rest for at least a couple of weeks, but you choose to look for part-time work; this could jeopardize your claim. Talk to your doctor if you have questions, but adhere to their advice.
- Fighting with the employer: You have no business getting into a fight with your employer. Remember that you cannot directly sue them for a work-related injury, and in your best interests, you should consider hiring a lawyer who can help you navigate the workers’ compensation system.
Final word
No matter how confusing the workers’ compensation system may seem, get in touch with an attorney, and they would typically not charge a fee right away. Let an expert handle the work for you as you recover from the work injury.
