A new bill that has been approved in the Iowa House will prevent workers who are injured at the workplace while they are off duty from collecting workers’ compensation.

The bill was created after an employee of a company was given $30,000 in workers’ compensation after she was injured while running personal errands at her company. Because this case is currently under appeal by the state, some House members who are against the bill have said that they believe the bill was created solely to shorten the appeal of the previously mentioned case.

Despite the concerns of some, the bill was passed 56-36, and the bill will almost definitely have an effect on the outcome of this appeal case.

If you or someone you love has been injured at the workplace and would like more information on collecting workers’ comp, please contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600.

Earlier this month, President Obama signed an order telling all federal agencies to improve their workplace safety standards by 2014.  He hopes in four years if agencies work to improve safety in the workplace they can reduce the number of injuries and illness acquired on the job, reduce the amount of time spent to review a claim, and speed up an injured or ill employee’s return to the workplace.

In 2009, the federal government spent $1.6 billion on workers’ compensation and 79,000 new claims were filed by federal employees.

Federal agencies will have to pay for any improvements needed to increase employee safety standards.

If you or someone you love is seeking workers’ compensation, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation attorneys of LaMarca & Landry, P.C. at 877-327-2600 to learn more about your rights.