If you have been injured on the job and have not hired a lawyer yet it, then are some things that you should consider when looking for a lawyer to review your case.  Iowa’s Workers’ Compensation laws can be complex and your employer and their insurance company is not required to tell you how the system works.  Therefore, in order to avoid a mistake which could result in you receiving less than the total amount of benefits you are owed, you should learn more about the system. Please keep in mind when looking for a lawyer that not all lawyers who advertise that they handle workers’ compensation cases have the same skills, tools, and experience to handle your case. In Iowa, ANY lawyer can advertise they handle workers’ compensation cases even if they have only handled a couple cases or never even represented a single injured worker. This means you may not be getting the best lawyer available to you. 

What qualities should you look for in a work injury lawyer? 

• Success in past cases; keep in mind that past results cannot guarantee future results, however, past results do help demonstrate some level of achievement and experience.

• Check to see if the lawyer you are meeting with has a track record of winning cases in an ethical and successful manner. Don’t let the lawyer tell you all their cases of confidential. You can ask the lawyer you are interested in for a list of cases they have handled with the results and any testimonials they have received from their former clients. 

• Continuing education hours. Any lawyer who “practices primarily in workers’ compensation” is required to complete a minimum of 15 continuing legal education hours each year. This also means the lawyer spends at least 40% of their time practicing workers’ compensation which may be better for your case than getting a lawyer who doesn’t primarily practice Iowa workers' compensation.

• Most qualified Iowa work injury lawyers will provide you with an initial consultation at no cost.
• It is common for most work injury cases to be handled on a contingency fee. A contingency fee means that if you do not make a recover, then you will not owe any lawyer fees. The lawyer being paid is dependent upon you being paid.
• As part of the contingency fee, if you are currently receiving weekly benefits then the lawyer should not charge you a fee on those benefits.

If you or someone you know has been injured at work Walker, Billingsley & Bair is here to help answer any questions or concerns you may be having regarding your work injury claim. Our attorneys are dedicated to giving your case the attention that it needs. To learn more information you can request our No Cost book entitled “Iowa Workers’ Compensation- An Insider’s Guide to Work Injuries” which is offered to injured Iowans at no risk or obligation.  To request your No Cost copy you can visit us at www.IowaWorkInjury.com or Call Now 1-800-707-2552 ext. 811 (24 hour recorded message) Your Journey for Justice Starts Here!

If you are one of the many injured Iowans that have been hurt at work you may be considering filing a workers’ compensation claim against your employer. However, you need to notify your employer of your injury in a timely manner as there are time limitations on certain aspects of a workers’ compensation claim. For example, if you are hurt on the job you should inform your employer as soon as possible. Did you know that by law your employer must be notified of your injury or have knowledge of your injury within 90 days of when you knew or should have known that your injury was work related subject to few exceptions? This means it would be best for you and your employer if you tell them right away instead of waiting. If you inform them right away they will be able to get a first report of injury on file and get the treatment you need.

For more information on filing your claim you can read the full article by going to our injury website. Don't let too much time pass before you decide to do something about your injury or work claim. If you have any questions or concerns Walker, Billinglsey & Bair are here to help answer and questions or concerns you may be having regarding your workers' compensation claim.

If you have been in a workers’ compensation or personal injury accident you need to make sure it is reported properly to ensure you are able to recover any damages that may be available to you. Reporting accidents can also help to prevent another accident like the one you were involved in from happening to other people. Usually when an accident is reported it sparks an investigation to find out exactly what happened.  During an investigation a party may be found to be negligent which is also known as fault. For example, someone who speeds while driving, if the person speeding happens to lose control of their vehicle and crash into you causing an accident they should be held liable, because they should not have been speeding in violation of Iowa's traffic laws also known as rules of the road.

When you do make a report you should remember you need to be honest and thorough. Always remember to report only what you know about the accident. If you are asked a question and that you don’t know the answer to then simply say “I don’t know” do not exaggerate or make up things that never happened. The report of your accident can play a significant role in your case later down the road. You should also remember to make all your injuries known whether you feel minor pain in your neck or back from a car accident or you have a severe work injury such as a herniated disc. This way they will be included in the accident report and won’t be questioned later down the road if you need treatment for them. 

Also, keep in mind that it is rarely a good idea to give a recorded statement to the insurance company for the other driver, company or your employer.  Insurance adjustors are trained to ask you questions in such a way that it is more likely you will say something that will hurt your case.  For example, let's say you sustain a neck injury in a car accident and during a recorded statement the insurance adjustor asks you if you have ever had neck pain before.  You say "no" because you have never had neck pain like this before, but you previously saw a chiropractor or your family doctor for neck pain then this can significantly damages your case.

If you or someone you know has been injured in Iowa our injury attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair are here to help answer your questions. Our team of attorneys is dedicated to giving your case the personal attention that it needs. If you would like to learn more you can visit our injury website and take a look at the different books we offer to injured Iowans at No Cost or obligation or you can also Call Now at 1-800-707-2552 ext. 711- Work Comp. or ext 710- Car Accidents.