Local Representation For Your Workplace Injury Case
Last updated on February 13, 2025
When you suffer injuries at work, the path to recovery can be full of obstacles. Workers’ compensation benefits can provide you with the resources you need to overcome them. Turn to my firm, Platt Law Firm P.C. for help pursuing this key financial relief.
My name is Nick Platt. I am an Urbandale-based workers’ compensation attorney with nearly 20 years of experience who helps injured workers in the Des Moines area, Central Iowa, and throughout the state. As an Iowa native, I understand the unique concerns of the state’s workers. I am here to help you with every step of seeking maximum benefits for your workplace injuries.
There are many types of benefits available to workers under Iowa’s workers’ compensation system. These include:
What specific benefits you could receive from your employer after a work accident depends on factors such as:
Every situation is different. A worker who suffers a minor strain and returns to full duty quickly will have a very different claim than someone who sustains a permanent injury that limits their ability to work long-term. As a Des Moines workers’ compensation attorney serving clients throughout central Iowa, I take the time to look at the full picture of your injury so nothing gets overlooked. I can guide you on what benefits you may be able to seek, given the specifics of your case. The goal is always to make sure you are pursuing every benefit the law allows.
Workers’ compensation medical benefits cover reasonable care for a work injury. This may include:
Travel expenses for obtaining treatment are also covered.
One thing many injured workers do not realize is that, in most cases, the employer has the right to direct your medical care. That means the insurance company may send you to a doctor of their choosing. If you feel that the care you are receiving is not adequate, or if your treatment is being cut off too soon, that is something I can help you address. Getting the right medical treatment is not just important for your health; it also directly affects the value of your workers’ compensation claim. Physical therapy, specialist visits, and follow-up care all fall within what the law can require your employer to cover.
If you are an injured worker in the Des Moines area or anywhere in central Iowa, do not assume the insurance company is looking out for your best interests when it comes to your medical care. I can help you with pursuing the benefits you need to secure care that allows you to truly recover from what happened.
Workers’ compensation disability benefits cover all types of work-related disabilities. The four main types of such benefits are:
These benefits vary in their eligibility requirements, when they start and when they end. I can help you understand which disability benefits you may qualify for and what can be done to strengthen your claim for them.
Understanding how these categories work in practice matters a great deal. For example, temporary total disability benefits generally begin on the fourth day of your disability, and if your time away from work exceeds 14 calendar days, you may also be entitled to compensation for those first three days. Permanent disability benefits are typically determined after a medical provider evaluates whether your injury caused a lasting impairment. Insurance companies do not always calculate weekly benefit amounts correctly, and errors can cost injured workers meaningful money over the life of a claim. As a workers’ compensation lawyer with an office in Urbandale, I review these calculations carefully to make sure my clients are not being shortchanged.
They are payments for time missed from work due to permanent impairments. Unlike temporary disability, there is no waiting period for these benefits. I can advise you on whether healing period benefits would be an option in your case.
These benefits continue until you return to work, a medical provider determines that you are capable of returning to a job substantially similar to what you held before your injury, or you have recovered as much as you are expected to. It is worth noting that if you refuse suitable work, you may lose eligibility for these benefits. That is one reason it is important to speak with a central Iowa workers’ comp attorney before making any decisions about returning to work or accepting a job offer from your employer. I can help you understand your options so you do not inadvertently give up benefits you are entitled to receive.
Vocational benefits aim to help injured workers return to gainful employment by getting them the training and career support they need. In Iowa, there are two main types:
Whether you are looking into vocational rehabilitation or vocational education and training, I can help you figure out which path fits your situation and guide you through the process of pursuing those benefits.
After a fatal work accident, the victim’s family may be able to receive death benefits under Iowa’s workers’ comp system. These include:
Whether you are just starting your workers’ compensation claim or are looking to disputel a denial of benefits, I am ready to help. Contact me at 515-278-1522 or by email for a free consultation. Se habla español.
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