Iowa’s best workers compensation and work injury attorney Nate Boulton sheds light on the legal complexities workers face when workers’ compensation claims are delayed or denied.
It’s important to note, we’re journalists, not legal experts. Our summary of the interview isn’t legal advice—we urge you to reach out to Nate for legal expertise as all situations are unique.
Nate Boutlon, Iowa’s best work injury attorney
Boulton is parter at Hedberg & Boulton. He explains while employers are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover job-related injuries, insurance carriers often dispute claims by questioning whether an injury truly happened on the clock or stemmed from preexisting conditions or personal hobbies. However, Boulton notes that insurance companies cannot simply deny claims without a clear, immediate explanation. “If they’re going to deny that injury, they have to tell you why,” Boulton explained. “They have to articulate, they have to tell you directly at the time of the denial what the reasonable basis is.”
Protections for Iowa Workers When Workers Comp Insurance Is Delayed
When insurance companies or self-insured employers exploit the initial investigation period to wrongfully delay benefits, Iowa law imposes strict financial penalties to protect vulnerable workers. If an insurer lacks a reasonable basis for a denial, a deputy workers’ compensation commissioner can award the injured worker penalty benefits of up to 50% of the wrongly denied amount.\
For more severe misconduct involving fraudulent misrepresentations or borderline illegal behaviors, workers can file a separate insurance bad faith claim. In these instances, a jury decides the financial penalty based on emotional distress and other damages rather than a standard calculator. Boulton emphasized the severe consequences for insurers that prioritize profits over people, stating: “If a jury gets that sense, that this was a decision that was purely financially motivated with no basis in law or fact to harm that injured worker, then punitive damages are designed to go above and beyond compensating the injured worker, and now it’s about punishing that insurance company for their conduct.”
Does accepting Iowa workers comp mean you can’t sue?
A common misconception among injured employees is that accepting a workers’ compensation check means they are forfeiting their rights or finalizing a settlement. Boulton clarified that a claim cannot be legally settled without formal documents signed by the employer, the worker, and a judge at the Division of Workers’ Compensation. The legal framework is intentionally built to keep families afloat during a crisis without fear of legal traps.
Ultimately, the law seeks to hold bad actors accountable while rewarding good insurers who pay benefits on time. Boulton summarized the core purpose of the system, stating: “Work comp is designed to make sure people are not put in a hardship because they were injured on the job. We want people to be able to get through these work injury claims without harming their own family finances.”
If you’ve been injured at work and insurance is being difficult. Hedberg & Bolton offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis—meaning they only get paid only if you win.
Contact Information:
To learn more or schedule a free consultation, visit workerslawyers.com
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