Workers' Compensation Attorneys in Des Moines, IA

A back injury during a shift at a Des Moines distribution center or a fall at a hospital job should be covered by workers’ comp. An Iowa-licensed attorney will review your claim for free.

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How we match your Des Moines workers' compensation case

When you submit a Des Moines workers' compensation matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A workers' compensation matter needs someone who handles workers' compensation work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Iowa law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Iowa who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Workers' Compensation cases in Des Moines

More about legal help in Des Moines →

Distribution centers spreading across the metro, construction crews building new suburbs, hospital staff, and the office workforce of insurers and state agencies all get hurt on the job in Des Moines, from forklift injuries to repetitive strain. Iowa workers’ compensation runs through a state agency rather than Polk County courts and covers medical care and lost wages regardless of fault. Reporting deadlines are strict. DearLegal matches you with an Iowa-licensed attorney who handles workers’ compensation cases in Des Moines, with a free review.

Warehouse, logistics, and construction jobs across the Des Moines metro drive many injury claims.
Iowa workers’ comp disputes go to a state agency, not Polk County courts.
Large insurance employers downtown generate office injury and repetitive strain claims as well.

Iowa workers' compensation rules at a glance

Des Moines cases run under Iowa law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Iowa page.

Read the full Iowa workers' compensation guide →

Governing Statute: Workers' Comp Act
Iowa Workers' Compensation Act, Iowa Code Ch. 85
Agency: Division
Iowa Division of Workers' Compensation
Notice of Injury: 90 days
90 days to notify the employer (Iowa Code § 85.23)
Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years from injury or last weekly benefit (Iowa Code § 85.26)
Attorney Fees: Court-approved
Subject to Commissioner approval (Iowa Code § 86.39)
Typical attorney fee: 20%
Subject to Commissioner approval (typically ~20%–25%)

Exhibit D

How much do Des Moines workers' compensation attorneys cost?

Sample settlement statement

Iowa · Workers' Compensation

Recovery$100,000

Attorney fee · 20%− $20,000

Case costs (advanced by firm)repaid at the end

To you$80,000

Due today$0

Try a different recovery$100,000

$5,000$3,000,000

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Most Iowa workers' compensation attorneys work on contingency: the fee is a share of what they recover, and nothing if they don’t.

Iowa workers' comp attorney fees are subject to Workers' Compensation Commissioner approval under Iowa Code § 86.39, typically running 20%–25% of contested benefits. Third-party tort claims (motor vehicle, product liability, contractor) run outside the comp system on standard 33%–40% personal-injury contingency.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Des Moines workers' compensation questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Iowa attorney will review it for free.

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Report it to your employer as soon as possible, ideally in writing the same day. Iowa sets strict deadlines for notice and for filing a claim, and delays give insurers a reason to question the injury. An attorney will confirm the exact deadlines and make sure nothing is missed.

In Iowa, the employer generally directs medical care, though you may request a change or seek an independent evaluation under certain circumstances. If you disagree with the treatment you are receiving, talk with an attorney about your options. They can help you obtain care that addresses your injury properly.

Denials are common, especially for repetitive strain or aggravations of prior conditions. You can challenge the denial through Iowa’s workers’ compensation agency. An attorney gathers medical opinions and presents the claim at hearing. Most handle these cases for a fee that comes only from benefits recovered.

Notice to the employer within 90 days under Iowa Code § 85.23. The formal claim must be filed within 2 years of the injury or last weekly benefit under § 85.26.

The employer. Under Iowa Code § 85.27, the employer is responsible for medical care and chooses the treating physician. The worker can petition the Commissioner for alternate care if dissatisfied.