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Workers' Compensation Summary - Iowa

The Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner is the head of the Division of Workers' Compensation, part of Iowa Workforce Development, and is responsible for administering, regulating and enforcing the Iowa workers' compensation laws. The following brief summary is intended to provide a general overview of Workers' Compensation coverage and benefits in Iowa. See the separate topic for help with acronyms. For further information contact your local or state Workers' Compensation Program office. This information is based on data originally provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and updated by the Division of Workers' Compensation, and is believed current as of January 2011.

Benefit rates change annually on July 1 of each year. Rates discussed below are in effect from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.

Type of Law and Insurance Requirements

In Iowa, workers' compensation is compulsory, and some waivers are permitted. There is no state fund. Employers may insure through private carriers, self-insurance, or through groups of employers. There is no exemption for employers with small numbers of employees.

Coverage of Agricultural Workers

Agricultural employees are covered, other than excluded family members, whose employer's total cash wage payments during the preceding year amounts to at least $2,500.

Coverage of Domestic Employees

Covers any employee working in or about a private dwelling (who is not a regular household member) whose earnings are $1,500 or more during the 12 consecutive months prior to an injury.

Medical Benefits

Full medical benefits are provided with no time or monetary limitations.

Benefits for Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

The percentage of worker's wage paid is 80% of worker's spendable earnings. For weekly payments, the minimum is $249 or actual wage if less, and the maximum is $1,420, 200% of SAWW. The maximum period of payments is the duration of disability.

Benefits for Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

The percentage of worker's wage paid is 80% of worker's spendable earnings. For weekly payments, the minimum is $249, and the maximum is $1,420, 200% of SAWW. The maximum period of payments is the duration of disability.

Benefits for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

The percentage of worker's wage paid is 80% of worker's spendable earnings. For weekly payments, the minimum is $249, and the maximum is $1,306, 184% of SAWW. For non-scheduled injuries, the maximum period of payments is in proportion to scheduled injuries or in proportion to losses of the whole man based on a maximum of 500 weeks, and the maximum payment amount is $653,000.

Disfigurement Benefits

Iowa law covers disfigurements that are "Permanent head or facial, which impairs future usefulness and earnings". Benefits are determined by the Industrial Commissioner, according to the severity of disfigurement.

Contact Information

Division of Workers' Compensation
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319

Phone: (515) 281-5387 or (800) 562-4692
FAX: (515) 281-6501

Internet: http://www.iowaworkforce.org/wc/

Additional Information

Questions and Answers About Workers' Compensation Law For Injured Workers, a brochure prepared by the Division of Workers' Compensation, is available in PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) online at:
http://www.iowaworkforce.org/wc/2008QA.pdf

The Division of Workers' Compensation rules are available online at:
http://www.iowaworkforce.org/wc/rules/rules.htm

The Iowa Workers' Compensation Manual is available in PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) online at:
http://www.iowaworkforce.org/wc/2008ratebook.pdf

Other State's Summaries

Curious about the Workers' Compensation program in another state? Want to see a summary like this one? Click here to select another state's summary.

Source

Information for this topic was drawn from pages of the Division of Workers' Compensation website at:
http://www.iowaworkforce.org/wc/
http://www.iowaworkforce.org/wc/faq.htm
http://www.iowaworkforce.org/wc/newsandupdates.htm

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