Workers' comp claim denied in Iowa: what to do next

Ask your employer or its insurer why it took the action; you have a right to know why and to see the evidence. If the dispute cannot be resolved, you can file an Original Notice and Petition with the Workers' Compensation Division through WCES. The Division cannot give legal advice or refer you to an attorney.

Your employer's insurer, not the state, usually decides first. If they deny or delay, the free help listed here can explain your options.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Deadlines are strict. If you are near one, call the state agency or free help today.

If your claim is denied or delayed in Iowa

Who decides

Workers' Compensation Division: a deputy workers' compensation commissioner decides; appeals go to the Workers' Compensation Commissioner

First step

Source: Form 100

Form

Original Notice & Petition (Form 100, 14-0005)

Deadline

File the petition within 2 years after the injury if no weekly benefits were paid, or within 3 years after the last weekly payment. A notice of appeal of an arbitration decision must reach the Division within 20 days from the decision date.

Medical disagreements

If you are unhappy with the care your employer chose, ask for alternate care; if it is refused, file a petition for alternate care, which is heard on a fast track. If you disagree with a permanent disability rating by the employer's doctor, you can file a petition for an independent medical examination (IME) by a doctor of your choice, paid by the employer.

Appealing the decision

Appeal to the Workers' Compensation Commissioner within 20 days of the deputy's decision; then judicial review in district court.

File an Original Notice and Petition for arbitration through the Division's electronic filing system (WCES).
The parties schedule an arbitration hearing through WCES within 120 days after the petition is filed.
A deputy workers' compensation commissioner holds the hearing and issues an arbitration decision.
Either side may appeal to the Workers' Compensation Commissioner within 20 days of the decision.
The Commissioner's decision can be taken to district court for judicial review.

Law: Iowa Code 85.26, 85.27(4), 85.39; Iowa Code 10A.315; Iowa Code 17A.19

Source: dial.iowa.gov

Sources

The official sources for Iowa are listed on the Iowa page.

National rules that may also matter

Not covered by state workers' comp?

These federal programs and laws cover some groups of workers instead of, or in addition to, state workers' compensation. If one of them may apply to you, check its rules and deadlines too. They are different from your state's.

Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Civilian employees of the federal government, including Postal Service employees. Official page

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Longshore Act): Maritime workers such as longshore workers, harbor workers, ship repairers, shipbuilders and ship-breakers, hurt on navigable waters of the United States or on an adjoining pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal or other area used to load, unload, repair or build ships. Some groups are excluded. Official page
Longshore maximum and minimum for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (fiscal year 2027): maximum $2,163.92 a week, minimum $540.98 a week.

Law: 33 U.S.C. 906(b); DOL Longshore NAWW table

Defense Base Act: Civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or national defense. Claims are handled by the Longshore program. Official page

Federal Black Lung Program: Coal miners who are totally disabled by black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) from coal mine work, and survivors of miners whose deaths were caused by it. Official page

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program: Current or former employees of the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors and subcontractors, and certain uranium miners, millers and ore transporters, who became ill from toxic exposures such as radiation, beryllium or silica at covered work sites, and their survivors. The program is set up by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Official page

Railroad workers (Federal Employers' Liability Act): Employees of railroads in interstate commerce. Instead of a workers' compensation claim, a federal law lets an injured railroad worker sue the railroad for damages caused by its negligence.

Seamen (Jones Act): A seaman injured in the course of employment may bring a lawsuit against the employer, with the right to a jury trial, under the same federal rules that apply to railroad workers.

National help

Your state workers' compensation agency answers questions about claims. Many have a free help line, an ombudsman or information officers for injured workers.

The Legal Services Corporation funds 129 nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, D.C. and the territories. Enter your address on its website to find one near you. You can also look up legal information and free forms at LawHelp.org. Whether a local program handles workers' compensation cases varies.

LawHelp.org