Manual laborers often have a significant degree of risk associated with their jobs. Many of the deadliest professions are blue-collar or manual jobs. It only takes a moment to make a mistake that could cost someone their life if they work with electrical supply or heavy machinery. Falls, equipment malfunctions and numerous other safety concerns make manual labor particularly dangerous.
Obviously, those in blue-collar professions require the support of workers’ compensation for safety and peace of mind. The workers’ compensation program in Iowa generally requires that companies with manual labor employees cover their workers in case they develop job-related health issues. Are they the only professionals who benefit from workers’ compensation in Iowa?
Most employees may have coverage available
Technically, the law in Iowa requires employers in all industries to provide workers’ compensation coverage for their workers. It does not matter if someone works in an office, a restaurant or a factory. Their employer has a responsibility to protect them from the risk of a job-related health issue.
Coverage is available to those who work full-time and part-time. Any direct employee should theoretically be eligible for benefits on the very first day that they work. Someone does not have to have a particularly dangerous job to end up developing a medical condition that requires treatment and may force them to take a leave of absence.
Office workers could develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Hospital employees could end up hospitalized themselves when a patient becomes violent and attacks them. Workers in any profession will theoretically be eligible for health coverage and disability benefits if they develop a job-related health condition. The benefits can help them pay their bills until they return to work and obtain treatment without needing to pay for their care with their own resources.
How benefits work
Workers’ compensation coverage will potentially pay for 100% of the necessary treatment costs that a worker has related to a job-acquired health condition. That coverage is more thorough than the medical benefits provided through standard health insurance in most cases. Workers can also receive disability benefits if they require a leave of absence. There are even permanent disability benefits that apply if a worker must change professions because of the permanent functional limitations generated by their injury.
Learning more about the basic rules that govern workers’ compensation coverage may help those hurt on the job receive the support they require. Seeking legal guidance can be beneficial in this regard as well.