As Iowans, we know that winter brings a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to the workplace. The mix of snow, ice, and frigid temperatures increases the risk of serious work injuries, from devastating slip-and-falls on icy walkways to cold stress injuries like frostbite.
If you are an employee working through the Iowa winter, it’s vital to know your rights and understand the measures your employer must take to keep you safe. Dealing with an injury is stressful enough without having to worry about your legal standing and financial future.
Your Employer's Duty to a Safe Workplace
Under federal and Iowa law, your employer has a responsibility to provide a safe work environment, free from recognizable hazards. In the winter, this includes taking reasonable precautions to address cold-weather risks.
Employer Responsibilities include:
Hazard Mitigation: Employers should take prompt steps to remove snow and ice from company-controlled sidewalks, entryways, and parking lots. When immediate removal isn't possible, they must apply de-icing agents or sand and provide clear warnings of slippery conditions.
Proper Equipment and Training: For employees working outdoors, employers must provide adequate training on recognizing and preventing cold-related illnesses. For certain jobs, they are also required to provide appropriate protective gear, such as insulated, non-slip footwear, warm clothing, and other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
Safe Vehicle Use: If your job involves driving for work, the employer is responsible for ensuring company vehicles are properly maintained for winter conditions and that you are not pressured to drive in dangerously unsafe weather.
Your Rights Under Iowa Workers' Compensation
If you suffer an injury while performing your job duties—whether it’s a sudden fall on an icy path or an illness related to cold exposure—you generally have the right to file for workers' compensation in Iowa.
Iowa operates on a "no-fault" workers' compensation system. This is a critical distinction: it means you do not have to prove that your employer was negligent or "at fault" for your injury to qualify for benefits. If the injury "arises out of and in the course of your employment," it is typically covered.
Workers' Compensation Benefits typically cover:
Medical Expenses: Reasonable and necessary medical care for your accepted work injury. In Iowa, your employer generally has the right to choose the authorized medical provider.
Wage Replacement: Compensation for lost wages if your injury causes you to miss time from work.
Permanent Disability: Benefits if your injury results in a lasting impairment.
Protecting Your Claim: Essential Steps to Take
To best protect your rights after a winter workplace injury, act quickly and document everything:
Report Immediately: Notify your supervisor or employer of the injury as soon as possible, ideally in writing. Under Iowa law, you must report the injury no later than 90 days after you knew or should have known it was work-related.
Seek Medical Care: Get the medical attention you need. Be clear with the provider that the injury is work-related and was caused by an accident at work.
Document the Scene: If possible and safe, take photos of the hazardous condition that caused your injury (e.g., the patch of ice, the unshoveled path). Keep a record of your symptoms, missed workdays, and all communications with your employer.
The thought of filing a claim against your employer can be intimidating. However, workers' compensation is a benefit you've earned, and Iowa law prohibits your employer from firing or retaliating against you for filing a claim.
Des Moines Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Ready to Help
If you have been injured this winter and are facing a denied claim, delays, or are unsure of the full extent of your rights, you don't have to navigate the complex legal system alone. Protect your future and ensure you receive the full benefits you are due with LaMarca Law Group, P.C.. We fight for the full amount of financial support you need and are entitled to receive.
Call us at (515) 705-0233 and let us put our experience to work for you.