Local Representation For Your Workplace Injury Case
My name is Nicholas Platt, and I have been practicing Iowa workers’ compensation law since 2008. At Platt Law Firm P.C. I focus on helping workers in Des Moines and throughout Central Iowa get the benefits they deserve after a serious hip injury on the job. If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, or if you feel like the insurance company is not treating you fairly, I want to hear your story.
One thing that sets my firm apart is how we treat people from the very first phone call. When you call my office, a real member of my staff answers the phone. We do not use voicemail boxes or answering services during business hours, and we handle intake in person at my office. My staff and I understand that dealing with a serious injury is already stressful enough, and you should not have to fight just to get someone on the line.
My staff also includes two people fluent in Spanish, so if you or a family member is more comfortable speaking in Spanish, we are ready to help you in your language.
I personally attend to every detail of each client’s case myself. You will not be handed off to a paralegal or a junior associate. When you work with Platt Law Firm P.C. you work with me directly, from your first consultation through the resolution of your claim.
Injuries to the hip are one of the most common injuries that happen in the workplace. Many workers suffer a work-related accident during their career.
Injuries to the hip are usually caused by slip and falls or impacts from an object. If you sustain an injury due to your job, report the injury to your employer immediately and ask them to send you to medical treatment.
If you have sustained an injury as a direct result of your job, you may want to file for workers’ compensation. Hiring an attorney to review your claim to determine the benefits you are owed will give you a better understanding of your rights.
A fall at work can cause a traumatic force to be exerted on the hip, causing a fracture.
Hip fractures range in severity. A stress fracture may develop gradually from repeated physical strain, while a traumatic fracture from a sudden fall or impact can be immediately debilitating. Workers in physically demanding jobs, such as construction, warehouse work, and manufacturing, face a higher risk of this type of injury. Older workers are also at greater risk because bone density naturally decreases with age, which means a fall that might cause a bruise in a younger worker could result in a serious fracture for someone older. If significant damage is done to the hip, surgery may be required to fix the damage. Sometimes, therapy may be required to gain normal mobility. In other cases, hip injuries could cause permanent damage and lead to permanent work restrictions.
Regardless of the cause, a hip fracture suffered at work is a serious medical event that can affect your ability to earn a living, sometimes permanently.
Hip bursitis is a type of hip injury that results from the inflammation of the bursa. Our hips contain two small jelly-like sacs that serve as shock absorbers between the bones and soft tissue.
If the bursa becomes irritated due to repetitive physical stress or trauma, they become inflamed. If this trauma is caused or made worse by your job, it is compensable under workers’ compensation. Doctors may perform MRI scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays to determine the exact location of a patient’s injuries and the best treatment possible.
Hip bursitis is especially common among workers who spend long hours on their feet, kneel repeatedly, or climb stairs and ladders as part of their job. Jobs in healthcare, retail, landscaping, and construction frequently involve the kinds of repetitive movements that can lead to this condition over time. Symptoms often include a dull ache or stiffness on the outer side of the hip, and the pain may worsen with activity or after sitting for a long period. Treatment can range from rest and anti-inflammatory medication to corticosteroid injections and physical therapy. In more serious cases, surgery may be necessary.
Because hip bursitis develops over time rather than from a single incident, insurance companies sometimes argue it is not work-related. That is exactly the kind of dispute where having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side makes a real difference.
A labral tear is caused by repetitive actions that force the cartilage in the hip socket, aka the labrum, to disjoint from the bone. You can hear a popping sound when this happens and many times significant pain occurs. If you suspect a labral tear that is due to a traumatic accident at work or due to repetitive work duties, you should let your employer know immediately and request to see a doctor. If you are not sure if the pain is caused by work, you should still let your employer know and consult with a physician.
Labral tears are often misdiagnosed or overlooked in the early stages, which means some workers go weeks or even months without proper treatment. The pain from a labral tear can feel like a deep ache inside the hip joint, and it may be accompanied by a locking or catching sensation when you move. Workers whose jobs involve heavy lifting, twisting, or prolonged standing are at particular risk. A traumatic event, such as a fall or a sudden awkward movement while handling materials, can also cause a labral tear in a single incident. Diagnosis typically requires an MRI with contrast dye to get a clear picture of the cartilage. Treatment may involve physical therapy, but more severe tears often require arthroscopic surgery followed by a recovery period that can keep you out of work for months.
Documenting the connection between your job duties and this injury can be critical, and that is something I help my clients do from the very beginning of their case.
The amount of benefits you can receive depends on the specific facts of your case, including the severity of your injury, your average weekly wage before the injury, and whether your injury results in a permanent impairment. Under Iowa workers’ compensation law, injured workers are generally entitled to payment for reasonable and necessary medical treatment, weekly wage replacement benefits while they are unable to work, and permanent disability benefits if the injury causes lasting harm to their ability to work.
Weekly wage replacement benefits are typically calculated as a percentage of your average weekly earnings, subject to state-set limits that change from year to year. If your hip injury results in permanent impairment, you may be entitled to additional compensation based on an impairment rating assigned by a doctor. In cases involving a serious hip injury, the total value of a workers’ compensation claim can be substantial. That is why it is important to have an attorney review your claim carefully so that no benefits are left on the table.
A pre-existing condition defense is one of the most common tactics insurance companies use to deny or reduce workers’ compensation benefits. Just because you had a prior hip problem does not mean you are not entitled to benefits. Under Iowa law, if your work activities aggravated, accelerated, or combined with a pre-existing condition to produce your current disability, your injury is still compensable.
If the insurance company is claiming your injury is pre-existing, the most important step you can take is to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Medical evidence and documentation will play a central role in your case. I work with my clients to gather the right medical records, request appropriate evaluations, and build a clear record showing how their job duties contributed to their current condition. Do not accept a denial based on a pre-existing condition without getting a legal opinion first.
Yes. Having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your claim. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and legal teams whose job is to minimize the amount they pay out on claims. Without legal representation, injured workers often do not know what benefits they are entitled to, how to challenge a denial, or how to respond when an insurance company disputes the severity of their injury.
I have been handling Iowa workers’ compensation cases since 2008, and I know how to identify when a claim has been undervalued or improperly denied. I personally handle every aspect of my clients’ cases, from the initial review of their claim through negotiations and, when necessary, hearings before the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner.
If you have suffered a serious hip injury at work in the Des Moines area or anywhere in Central Iowa, I encourage you to call my office at 515-278-1522 for a free consultation. There is no cost to speak with me, and you will leave with a clearer understanding of your rights.
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