2010 March | Des Moines Workers Compensation Lawyers

Iowa railroad conductor awarded $33 million

Posted on March 30th, 2010 No Comments

A former Iowa Interstate Railroad conductor was awarded $33 million in damages for an April 2007 accident. According to court reports, the accident led to the amputation of both of the train conductor’s legs.

The award included $10 million for each loss of normal life and disfigurement, $6.3 million for pain and suffering, $2.5 million for future earnings, and $4.2 million for medical expenses. The award exceeded the Iowa Interstate Railroad’s settlement offer of $3 million.

If you or anyone you know has been injured on the job, contact the Des Moines workplace accident lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

Eastern Iowa man killed in tractor accident

Posted on March 30th, 2010 No Comments

A man from eastern Iowa was killed in a tractor accident last week. According to police reports, the accident occurred near Bellevue, Iowa.

The man apparently was operating his tractor when it rolled over and somehow landed on top of him. The man was later found by a coworker and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

If you or anyone you know has been killed in a workplace accident, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

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What is permanent total disability?

Posted on March 26th, 2010 No Comments

When individuals are injured on the job, their injury is considered a permanent total disability injury if the employees are incapable of returning to work.

In many cases, the employees will be entitled to PTD benefits. These benefits will typically last and will be payable as long as the employees remain permanently disabled.

If you or anyone you know has been injured on the job, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

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Who is responsible for administering workers' compensation laws?

Posted on March 26th, 2010 No Comments

The Division of Workers’ Compensation is responsible for administering and enforcing workers’ compensation laws. This division is headed by the workers’ compensation commissioner and is part of the Iowa Workforce Development.

While this office cannot represent either parties’ interests, it has a number of functions. It is responsible for providing information about the law and assisting in any procedural matters.

If you or anyone you know has a workers’ compensation case, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

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Iowa Supreme Court rules in slaughterhouse worker's injuries

Posted on March 17th, 2010 No Comments

A slaughterhouse worker took his case all the way to the Supreme Court to prove that he suffered an injury, not an illness, as a result of his work and should therefore be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

The worker contracted brucellosis, a blood contamination caused by certain bacteria carried by domestic animals, during his 10 years at the meat packing plant. Six years after leaving the company, he learned that he had brucellosis and filed a worker’s compensation claim for disability benefits. However, the slaughterhouse claimed that the worker suffered from an illness, not an injury, and therefore was not eligible for benefits. After a long series of court battles, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that an injury would have occurred for the bacteria to be contracted, and thus the condition could be considered an injury.

If you are fighting to receive the workers’ compensation and disability benefits you need, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation attorneys of LaMarca & Landry, P.C. at 877-327-2600.

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Can an employee receive workers' compensation for horseplay injuries?

Posted on March 12th, 2010 No Comments

Employees sometimes engage in horseplay around the office. From time to time, this horseplay results in injuries to one or more employees.

In most cases, employees who are injured as a result of horseplay cannot receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, if the employee is not engaging in the horseplay but is injured as a result of the horseplay, then the employee may be able to recoup workers’ compensation benefits.

If you or anyone you know has been injured on the job because of horseplay, contact the Iowa workers’ compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

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What is light duty work?

Posted on March 9th, 2010 No Comments

When employees are injured on the job, they may be unable to return to their normal job function for a period of time. In some cases, employees can request light duty.

Under light duty, employees may perform a limited job function in the following ways:

Work in a modified workspace
Take on tasks that are less demanding
Work less hours than usual

If you or anyone you know has been injured on the job, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

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Can employees choose their medical care if they are injured on the job?

Posted on March 2nd, 2010 No Comments

When employees are injured on the job, they are entitled to reasonable medical care. Many employees wrongly believe that they are required to see doctors who their employers recommend.

In most cases, they can choose their own medical care and receive care from that physician. In some cases, employers may challenge employees' diagnosis and medical treatment, and require their employees to see a third-party doctor to verify the diagnosis.

If you or anyone you know has questions about your medical treatment for a job-related injury, contact the Des Moines Workers' compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

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Iowa employment likely to improve next quarter

Posted on March 2nd, 2010 No Comments

Iowa employment could rise in the next quarter. According to a survey released by the Iowa Business Council, the state should see more sales and employment.

The increases in sales and employment should occur in the manufacturing sector, although certain service sectors may also receive a boost. The predictions were made based on a series of consumer and employment indexes.

If you have you have injured on the job, contact the Iowa workplace accident attorneys of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

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