Did you suffer severe injuries in a work accident in Cade? Have your injuries made it impossible for you to continue working while you recuperate? If so, you may be wondering how to provide for your family without a steady income.
Fortunately, you could get workers’ compensation benefits. However, getting the insurance company to approve your claim may be more difficult than you thought. Our Cade workers’ compensation lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help get you benefits.
How to Secure Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Louisiana?
You will need to show your personal injuries occurred within the scope of your employment to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in Louisiana.
Virtually any type of work-related injury could be grounds for a workers’ compensation claim depending on the circumstances. For example, if you were injured in a commercial truck accident while working as a tractor-trailer driver, you should qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Being struck by a tractor-trailer while driving to work one day does not make workers’ compensation benefits available to you. When unsure whether you qualify for benefits, speak with your workers’ compensation lawyer in Cade about your case.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientCommon Types of Work Injuries and Accidents Our Practice Sees
Many work injury victims have concerns that they may not qualify for benefits based on the type of work accident they were involved in or the injury. However, the type of work accident and injury you suffer will not determine whether you could recover workers’ compensation benefits.
We see some work accidents and incidents more frequently when dealing with workers’ compensation claim denials. Some of these accidents and injuries include:
- Bulldozer accidents
- Crate accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Ladder accidents
- Scaffold accidents
- Explosions
- Fires
- Trench or ground collapses
- Crushings
- Machinery accident
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Overexertion
- Repetitive stress injuries
If you were involved in another type of on-a-job accident or suffered another type of injury that was not listed above, you could still secure workers’ compensation benefits. Do not listen to the insurance company that tells you you do not qualify. Instead, talk to your workers’ compensation lawyer to explore your legal options going forward.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientLouisiana Workers’ Compensation Benefits You Could Recover
You may be wondering what workers’ compensation benefits could be available to you if your Cade work accident claim is approved. Some of the different types of Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits you may be entitled to include:
Disability Benefits
Disability benefits provide your family with compensation while you cannot earn a living. The amount of money you can collect will be based on your average weekly earnings and your injury status.
Generally, you would not expect to collect your full salary from benefits. You would likely secure approximately 2/3 of your average weekly earnings. However, depending on the details of your case, the amount of disability benefits you can collect under RS 23:1202 can be as low as 20% or as high as 75%.
Medical Benefits
The insurance company will be required to cover your medical bills from your injury. This includes co-pays, diagnostic imaging fees, ambulance costs, medical equipment fees, and future medical care.
Catastrophic Injury Benefits
If you are diagnosed with an injury that can be considered catastrophic, you could be eligible for a one-time $50,000 payment.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
When your injuries prevent you from working in your previous career, vocational rehabilitation benefits provide you an opportunity to obtain the education or job training you will need to enter the workforce in another field.
Mileage Reimbursement
You can be compensated for the transportation and mileage costs associated with being seen by your healthcare providers due to your work-injury.
Death Benefits
Family members that lose a loved one to work-related injuries may be eligible for death benefits, including compensation for the decedent’s funeral and burial expenses.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWorkers’ Compensation Claim Denials Are Not a Final Answer
It is far more common than you might think for insurance companies to deny workers’ compensation claims. Insurance companies make their money by paying out less on claims and bringing in through policy premiums.
The insurance company looks for any opportunity they can find to reduce the amount of compensation and benefits an injury victim can collect. In your case, do not be surprised if the insurance company attempts to make claims that:
- There are mistakes on your workers comp application.
- You failed to provide the necessary medical documentation.
- Having a pre-existing condition disqualifies you from benefits.
- Your injuries were self-inflicted.
- You violated your company’s code of conduct.
- You were under the influence of drugs or alcohol when you were injured.
- You were committing a crime when you were injured.
You can fight a denial, however, and appeal for fair benefits.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientMany Louisiana Workers Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation
Under Louisiana workers’ compensation laws, most companies are required to provide their employees with workers’ compensation protection coverage. Your employer will be required to purchase protection coverage and extend it to you from the minute you are hired.
Many workers think they need to work 90 days or be considered full-time employees to be eligible for benefits. However, this is not the case. Your employer must extend workers’ compensation protection coverage to you as long as you are considered a seasonal, part-time, or full-time employee.
Independent contractors may not be protected by their clients’ workers’ compensation protection coverage. However, if you purchased your own workers’ compensation protection coverage as an independent contractor, you might still qualify for benefits.
Get Help From a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Cade
The insurance company may be set on denying your workers’ compensation claim, but with a legal advocate on your side, you could hold the insurer accountable for its financial obligation.
Contact the Cade workers’ compensation team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for help bring money-hungry insurance companies to justice. Obtain your no-cost, risk-free consultation when you fill out our quick contact form or call our office to get started on your case. Our attorneys can take on your case.
