Q. I was injured on the job and received some workers' compensation payments during the period of time I was off work. I have now returned to work, but occasionally lose time from work to see doctors or to go to physical therapy. My employer makes me clock out and I lose pay for the period of time that I am gone. Is this correct?

A. No, this is not the way the matter should be handled under the Iowa Workers' Compensation laws. The Iowa Workers' Compensation Law provides that once a person has been paid workers' compensation benefits, returns to work, and is no longer receiving benefits and is required to leave work for one full day or less to receive medical care for their work injury, the employee shall be paid their lost wages at the employee's regular rate of pay for the lost time the employee is required to be gone from work. The employer, not the workers' compensation insurance carrier, is required to make payments under this portion of the Workers' Compensation Law. These payments are not construed as payment of weekly benefits that extend your statute of limitations, but must be made to compensate you for your lost time from work to attend medical appointments.

The employer is to be reimbursed for these payments by the workers' compensation insurance carrier. The employer must pay for the period of time that you are gone from work to attend medical appointments.