Workers' Comp Mediation and Settlement Services
- Free Initial Consultation
- NO Fee If You Don't Win!
- Over 161 Years of Combined Experience
- Millions Recovered For Injured Iowans
Skilled Mediation and Settlement for Claims
- Medical benefits
- Temporary total disability (TTD) / healing period (HP)
- Permanent partial disability (PPD)
- Permanent total disability (PTD)
- Retraining benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses needed to deal with injury
- Death benefits
Earning Your Trust and Confidence
Settlements are tricky and involve a painstaking process in which we learn all of the pros and cons of your case. We will carefully consider your needs from both a workers' comp weekly benefit standpoint and from a medical standpoint. These initial steps are complicated, as are the issues involving ongoing medical needs, especially with program options such as Medicaid, Medicare and Obamacare.
Some workers' comp cases settle in a matter of weeks or after months of negotiation. All along, we will work to get you the best result possible.
We also use mediation to settle cases. Mediation sessions involve all parties coming to our office or virtually with a private mediator facilitating the process with a focus on the following forms of settlements:
- Settling the case on an open basis where we agree on a number of weeks of compensation and make specific agreements about your medical needs
- A closed file in which you give up your entitlement to disability benefits and medical care in exchange for cash payments
- A hybrid of the first two types where a portion of your case is left open and other parts are closed
You will find that an open file protects you the most, but the cash details are generally more tempting if you are willing to give a closed file.
At Lawyer, Lawyer, Dutton, Drake & Conklin, LLP, we treat each workers' compensation case individually, identifying the specific issues and tailoring settlement strategies to find the best and most efficient resolution. Our goal is to return a sense of order, control and normalcy to the lives of our clients.
While we will consult with you on your options regarding the settlement, you have control over the final decision. However, you need to exercise sound judgment while we determine the settlement terms that can best help you.
No Attorney Fees Unless You Recover Money
Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa Workers' Compensation Settlements
What Are the Different Types of Workers' Compensation Settlements in Iowa?
Iowa workers' compensation cases can be resolved in different ways depending on the circumstances of the claim. A settlement may leave certain rights open, close the claim in exchange for an agreed payment, or use a combination of the two approaches.
The type of settlement can affect important issues such as future disability benefits and medical care. Before agreeing to any settlement, it's important to understand exactly which rights you are keeping and which rights you may be giving up.
An experienced Iowa workers' compensation attorney can explain the differences and help you evaluate which approach may be appropriate for your situation.
Should I Accept a Workers' Compensation Settlement Offer From the Insurance Company?
Don't make the decision based solely on the amount of money being offered.
A workers' compensation settlement may affect your future medical care, disability benefits, and other rights. Before accepting an offer, consider your current medical condition, whether additional treatment may be necessary, your ability to return to work, and the long-term effects of your injury.
Remember, the insurance company doesn't represent you. They will also not always tell you the complete truth or give you the whole picture of what the settlement means for your future.
At Lawyer Lawyer Dutton Drake & Conklin LLP, we only represent injured workers—never employers or insurance companies.
Will My Medical Care Still Be Covered After I Settle My Iowa Workers' Compensation Claim?
It depends on the type and terms of the settlement.
Some settlements may preserve rights to certain future medical care, while other settlements may close future medical benefits in exchange for an agreed payment. A hybrid settlement may leave some portions of a claim open while resolving others.
Future medical care can be especially important for an injured worker who may need additional treatment, medication, therapy, injections, surgery, or other care.
Before settling, make sure you understand who will be responsible for your future medical needs.
What Happens During Workers' Compensation Mediation in Iowa?
Mediation gives the injured worker, the employer or insurance company, and their attorneys an opportunity to try to resolve a workers' compensation dispute with the assistance of a neutral mediator.
The mediator helps facilitate negotiations but does not make the final decision for you.
Settlement discussions may address the amount of compensation, medical care, disability benefits, and whether portions of the workers' compensation claim will remain open or be closed.
Most importantly, you remain involved in the decision. Your attorney can advise you about the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed settlement, but you ultimately decide whether to accept it.
How Do I Know What My Iowa Workers' Compensation Case Is Worth?
There isn't one standard settlement amount for an Iowa workers' compensation claim.
The value of a case can depend on many factors, including the nature and severity of your injury, your wages, permanent disability, ability to return to work, future medical needs, and the specific legal issues involved in your claim.
That's why comparing your case to someone else's settlement usually doesn't provide an accurate answer.
At Lawyer Lawyer Dutton Drake & Conklin LLP, we evaluate each injured worker's situation individually and consider both the financial and medical consequences before advising a client about settlement options.
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