This bill amends the Iowa workers' compensation law by introducing provisions that extend the time frame for filing claims in certain circumstances. Specifically, it allows for an extension of the two-year filing period if an employee was unable to obtain an accurate diagnosis of their injury from a health service provider chosen by the employer. This extension is contingent upon the delay being solely due to the actions or inactions of the health service provider and requires the employee to demonstrate that they made diligent efforts to obtain the diagnosis without undue delay.

Additionally, the bill redefines the "date of the occurrence of the injury" for the purposes of the two-year filing period. It specifies that this date is when the employee knew or should have known, based on the nature, seriousness, and probable compensable character of the injury, that it was serious enough to have a permanent adverse impact on their employment or employability. The provisions of this bill are retroactively applicable to injuries occurring on or after August 1, 2022.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 85.26