Workers’ Compensation

Iowa’s workers’ compensation provides a number of no-fault benefits to eligible workers who get injured on the job. Nearly all employees in the state are covered, although there are exceptions for:

• Independent contractors
• Members of limited liability companies
• Proprietors and partners

Some states exempt many agricultural employers from having to buy into the workers’ comp system. This isn’t the case in Iowa, where farm work makes up such a large portion of our economy. Under Iowa law, farm employers whose cash payroll totaled at least $2,500 in the previous year must provide workers’ compensation for their employees, except for certain family members as well as otherwise exempted workers. In short, employees who are injured in farm accidents in Iowa are often entitled to workers’ comp benefits.

If you’re an eligible employee who’s hurt on the job, you could be entitled to the following benefits:

• Medical Benefits – These cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, including doctor visits, hospital care, surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy, mileage reimbursement for medical travel, and medical equipment.
• Mileage Reimbursement – You may be reimbursed for travel expenses to and from authorized medical appointments, which can be particularly important if you’re a rural worker.
• Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits – These wage replacement benefits are paid if you cannot work at all for more than three days due to the injury. They typically amount to 80% of your spendable weekly earnings, subject to state limits.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits – These are paid if you can return to work in a reduced capacity or at lower wages while you recover. They make up part of the difference between your pre- and post-injury earnings.
• Healing Period Benefits – These are paid while you recover from an injury that has not yet reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), even if your employer cannot provide suitable work.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits – You are eligible for PPD benefits if you suffer a permanent impairment that partially limits your ability to function or earn wages. How much you get depends on what part of your body is affected and to what degree it is.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits – You become eligible for PTD benefits if you’re unable to return to any substantial employment because of the work injury. PTD benefits can last indefinitely.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits – If you can’t return to your previous occupation, workers’ comp will pay to retrain you or help you find other work.
• Death Benefits – Should your injury prove fatal, your surviving dependents will receive weekly compensation payments and a set amount for funeral expenses.