Personal Injury FAQs
- Should I provide a statement to an insurance company without a lawyer’s help?
- Can the insurance company refuse to pay my medical bills if my car was not damaged?
- I fell and was injured. Can I sue someone?
- What should I do if I get injured on the job?
- How can I jeopardize my benefits?
- Under what circumstances could I be denied workers compensation benefits as a result of an on-the-job injury?
- Do I have to be injured at work to receive workers compensation?
- A dog bit me. Who do I tell?
- Which jurisdiction covers dog bites — state or local?
Have your questions answered today
For further assistance with your personal injury case, contact us. Our personal injury lawyers will assist you with your case no matter how simple or detailed it is.
Should I provide a statement to an insurance company without a lawyer’s help?
It is in your best interests to only provide your contact information to an insurance company until you consult with a lawyer. The more significant your injuries, the more imperative it becomes to seek legal counsel before providing any statement.
Can the insurance company refuse to pay my medical bills if my car was not damaged?
No. While the insurance company might try to draw a direct correlation between damage done to your car and the severity of your personal injury, it is possible that the body sustains damage even if the car did not. The reverse may also be true — a car might experience major impact but the people in it might only suffer minor cuts and bruises.
I fell and was injured. Can I sue someone?
If you fell while working, your injuries may be covered by your employer’s workers compensation insurance.
If your injury occurred in a store or a building, you can sue to recover damages to compensate you for your injuries. Be aware, however, that a building owner is not liable for every injury that occurs on the property. To recover for an injury, the owner or operator of the business must have breached his duty to keep the premises reasonably safe and to warn of known dangers. An attorney can provide you with additional details about premises liability.
What should I do if I get injured on the job?
You must notify your employer of the injury. You should also tell your employer if you need medical attention. You may also have to notify Iowa’s industrial commission. [Under Iowa workers compensation law, your employer and/or its insurance carrier can choose the physician to attend to you.] An experienced workers compensation lawyer can help you understand the process and your rights in Iowa and file your claim.
How can I jeopardize my benefits?
Your claim may be denied if you fail to report injuries promptly or fail to cooperate with your employer and authorized treating physician regarding medical evaluations, treatment, rehabilitation services and claim investigation. Your claim can also be denied if you refuse to return to suitable employment. Some other reasons for denial of claims include submittal of fraudulent information, refusal to take a drug test and refusal to submit to a medical examination by the authorized treating physician at reasonable times.
Under what circumstances could I be denied workers compensation benefits as a result of an on-the-job injury?
Benefits are not payable if you are injured while engaged in willful misconduct or if your injury is due to the use of alcohol, drugs or the misuse of controlled substances.
Do I have to be injured at work to receive workers compensation?
No. As long as your injury is related to your job, you are covered. If you are injured while traveling on business, running errands for business or even attending a social function required by your work, your injury is covered.
A dog bit me. Who do I tell?
Contact us and we will assist you with your claim.
Which jurisdiction covers dog bites — state or local?
Both. In addition to Iowa laws, your local community might also have animal laws covering bites, leashing and vaccinations. Your local laws might ban ownership of certain breeds, too.
