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Nothing is probably worse than getting injured on the job. Following an on-job injury in Cedar Rapids, you may have many questions on your mind, including the need for an attorney. The workers’ compensation system is meant to help injured workers. In the real world, claims are handled by insurance companies, which are just interested in minimizing what they pay to claimants. Hiring a Cedar Rapids workers’ compensation lawyer will only benefit your case in the long run. In this post, we are sharing more on the advantages of lawyering up.
Knowing your rights
Many workers are unaware of their rights and the settlement they deserve following an injury. Under the workers’ compensation system, you are entitled to get compensated for your medical bills, travel expenses related to medical appointments, and weekly benefit rate. Don’t assume that insurance companies will calculate the weekly benefit rate accurately. If you have suffered injuries to certain body parts, you could be eligible for “Second Injury Fund” benefits. An attorney can explain what your claim is worth and guide you on your rights.
Taking action in time
As an employee, you have certain responsibilities when it comes to filing a claim. Firstly, you have to inform your employer, and while there is a window of 90 days, you must do so without any delay. You must also file a claim with the “Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner”, for which you have a deadline of two years. These deadlines are short can be confusing, which is precisely why hiring an attorney is a wise idea.
You don’t need to pay the lawyer immediately
Most workers’ compensation lawyers in Iowa work on a contingency fee. This means that the attorney gets a part of the settlement only after you win. If you don’t win a settlement for the work done, the lawyer cannot get a fee. There is also a limit to what a workers’ compensation lawyer can recover from the client, and it is considerably lower than personal injury cases. The contingency fee may vary, but most lawyers don’t charge more than one-third of your recovery.
Finding a reliable workers’ compensation lawyer in Cedar Rapids doesn’t have to be hard. Check websites like Justia and Nolo for listings, and you can also check on Google for reviews of law firms. Find an attorney who doesn’t have a conflict of interest and deals in workers’ compensation claims regularly in their practice.