Retail Worker Injured in Iowa?
Last updated: 2026 · Verified against Iowa DWC regulations
Reviewed by: James R. Holloway, Esq.
Workers' Compensation Attorney · CA Bar #248701 · 14 yrs exp.
Last reviewed: January 2026 · Verified against state DWC regulations
Find out what your occupational lung disease claim is worth. Iowa workers typically receive $10,000–$75,000. Free, no-obligation assessment.
$10,000
Avg low
$75,000
Avg high
2 years
Deadline
Pre-filled for your situation — just add your wage & impairment info.
Tell us about your work
Your estimated weekly TTD benefit: $640/week
80%
of avg weekly wage (TTD)
$1,994
max weekly benefit
25%
typical attorney fee
2
filing deadline
Iowa Workers' Comp Law — Key Facts
Governing statute: Iowa Code § 85.1 et seq.
TTD rate: 80% of average weekly wage
Maximum weekly benefit: $1,994
Statute of limitations: 2 years from injury
Filing deadline: Report to employer within 90 days
Key features of Iowa's system:
- ✓ 80% of spendable (after-tax) earnings for TTD
- ✓ High statutory body-part schedule values
- ✓ Second Injury Fund for workers with prior industrial disability
Iowa's Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) administers the program. Iowa provides an 80% TTD rate on spendable earnings (take-home pay after taxes), which produces a different calculation than most states' pre-tax gross wage methods. Iowa uses AMA Guides for impairment ratings. Iowa's statutory schedule for body parts is among the most generous in the country, with very high week values for permanent partial disabilities.
What to Expect with Occupational Lung Disease in Iowa
30%
Average impairment rating
$75,000
Average medical costs
Occupational lung diseases — including pneumoconiosis (silicosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis), hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and occupational asthma — result from years of inhaling toxic dusts, gases, or biological agents. Unlike traumatic injuries, occupational lung disease develops insidiously, and workers are often unaware of the connection between their work and respiratory symptoms until significant lung function has been lost. NIOSH surveillance data indicates that silicosis rates have risen sharply in the engineered stone industry (quartz countertop fabrication). Spirometry (FEV1/FVC ratio), HRCT of the chest, and bronchoalveolar lavage are the primary diagnostic tools. Once lung fibrosis is established, it is irreversible; treatment is supportive and focused on slowing progression. Whole-person impairment under the AMA Guides can reach 40–60% for moderate-to-severe restrictive lung disease.
Common treatments
- ✓ Removal from exposure (critical for halting progression)
- ✓ Inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators
- ✓ Pulmonary rehabilitation
- ✓ Oxygen therapy
- ✓ Antifibrotic medications (for IPF/hypersensitivity pneumonitis)
- ✓ Lung transplant evaluation (severe cases)
Documentation needed
- ✓ Chest HRCT and PFT (pulmonary function testing)
- ✓ Pulmonologist evaluation and diagnosis report
- ✓ Occupational exposure history (dust and fume monitoring records)
- ✓ MSDS / SDS sheets for materials handled
- ✓ Industrial hygiene air sampling data
- ✓ AMA Guides respiratory impairment rating
Frequently asked questions
How is occupational lung disease compensation calculated in Iowa?
In Iowa, your weekly benefit is 80% of your average weekly wage, capped at $1,994. Permanent disability is calculated based on your impairment rating.
What is the average occupational lung disease settlement in Iowa?
Iowa workers with occupational lung disease typically settle between $10,000 and $75,000, depending on impairment rating, treatment costs, and lost wages.
How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in Iowa?
2 years from injury. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim. Contact a workers' comp attorney as soon as possible.
Do I need a lawyer for a workers' comp claim in Iowa?
You are not required to have an attorney, but representation significantly increases average settlement amounts. Most workers' comp attorneys work on contingency — no fee unless you win. Typical fees are 25% of settlement.
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This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual compensation depends on the specific facts of your case, your state's workers' compensation laws, and the outcome of any proceedings. Always consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney in your state.