Workers' comp deadlines in Iowa: tell your employer and file

Tell your employer in Iowa

Time limit

90 days

Counted from

The date you knew or should have known that the injury was work-related

In writing?

The law does not require writing

If you are late

If your employer did not have notice or knowledge of the injury within 90 days, benefits may be denied.

Illness that develops over time

The 90 days start when you knew or should have known that your condition was related to your work.

Your employer must have notice or knowledge of your injury within 90 days. You (or someone on your behalf) can give the notice; if your employer or its representative already actually knew about the injury within 90 days, that counts.

Law: Iowa Code 85.23

Source: dial.iowa.gov

File your claim in Iowa

Time limit

2 years

Counted from

The date you knew or should have known the injury was work-related; or, if weekly benefits were paid, 3 years from the last payment of weekly benefits

What to file

Original Notice and Petition for arbitration, filed with the Workers' Compensation Division through its electronic filing system (WCES)

Source: Form 100

Who files it

You report the injury to your employer. Your employer (or its insurance carrier) files the First Report of Injury with the Workers' Compensation Division. You file an Original Notice and Petition with the Division only if there is a dispute that cannot be resolved.

What your employer must do

Your employer must file a First Report of Injury with the Workers' Compensation Division within 4 days after notice or knowledge of an injury that causes more than 3 days of lost work, permanent injury or death.

When the insurer decides

Weekly payments are due starting on the 11th day after the injury. Late payments carry interest, and unreasonable delay or denial can lead to penalty benefits. Once benefits start, they can stop only when you return to work or after 30 days' written notice explaining why and telling you that you can file a claim with the Commissioner.

Illness that develops over time

The 2-year period runs from the date you knew or should have known that the condition was work-related.

If no weekly disability benefits have been paid, you must file a petition with the Workers' Compensation Division within 2 years from the date of injury, or you may lose your benefits. If weekly benefits have been paid, you have 3 years from the last weekly payment to file. Payment of medical expenses or mileage does not extend the deadline.

Law: Iowa Code 85.26(1)

Source: dial.iowa.gov

Law: Iowa Code 85.30; Iowa Code 10A.315

Source: dial.iowa.gov

Waiting period and first payment in Iowa

Waiting period

TTD is not paid for the first 3 calendar days you are off work. Benefits begin on the 4th day. Healing period benefits (for injuries causing permanent impairment) have no waiting period.

Paid back for the waiting days

If you are off work for more than 14 calendar days, you are paid for the first 3 days too (added to the third week's payment).

First payment

Weekly payments are due beginning on the 11th day after the injury and every week after that. If a payment is late, interest is added; if benefits are unreasonably delayed or denied, you may be entitled to penalty benefits.

How often you are paid

Weekly

Law: Iowa Code 85.30, 85.32

Source: dial.iowa.gov

Deadline helper

Count your dates with the deadline helper · Write the notice to your employer