Workers' Compensation

Sometimes people get injured while working. If you experience an injury related to your work, tell your employer about your injury right away. You may be eligible for workers’ compensation.

The Division of Workers' Compensation oversees workers' compensation in Iowa. When an injured worker receives workers compensation payments, the payments come from either the employer or the employer's workers compensation insurance company, depending on the circumstances.

• Who is covered by workers' compensation?
• What types of benefits are available through workers' compensation?
• How much will I get in benefits?
• What happens if my claim is contested?

Who is covered by workers’ compensation?

Most employees are covered for work-related injuries, but the Iowa Code does list certain types of employees that employers don’t have to cover.

• Iowa Code section 85.1 provides details on who is and isn’t covered by the workers’ compensation law.
• The Division of Workers' Compensation provides an FAQ page on eligibility for workers' compensation.  

What types of benefits are available through workers' compensation?

Workers’ compensation benefits can include:

• Medical benefits
  • Division of Workers’ Compensation FAQ
  • Iowa Code section 85.27
• Disability benefits
  • Division of Workers’ Compensation FAQ
  • Temporary disability benefits (both total and partial)
    • Iowa Code section 85.33
  • Permanent disability benefits (both total and partial)
    • Iowa Code section 85.34
• Vocational benefits​​​​​​​
  • Division of Workers’ Compensation FAQ
  • Iowa Code section 85.70
• Death benefits​​​​​​​
  • Division of Workers’ Compensation FAQ
  • Iowa Code section 85.31, sections 85.28 and 85.29, sections 85.42, 85.43, and 85.44​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

How much will I get in benefits?

How much an injured worker gets and for how long depends on the specific injury. For more information on weekly workers' compensation benefits, visit:

• Division of Workers’ Compensation, FAQ: Rate for Weekly Workers' Compensation Benefits
• Iowa Code sections 85.36, 85.37, and 85.38
• Iowa Administrative Code, 876, chapter 8. 

What happens if my claim is contested?

Your employer or the insurance provider might disagree with your workers' compensation claim. If you can't come to an agreement on your workers' compensation claim, the Division of Workers' Compensation will hear your case.

• For more information on hearings with the Division of Workers' Compensation, visit the Hearings page. 
• You can find past workers' compensation decisions here.