Workers’ compensation exists to give employees like you a financial safety net in case of accidents. However, getting the money you need and might be entitled to collect is not always as easy as it should be. The insurance company may not cover medical treatments you believe are necessary for your recovery. They may even deny your claim altogether.
A Marksville workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm can help you prepare your case so that you can fight for workers’ compensation benefits. Call our office to get started.
Employees May be Entitled to Compensation for On-the-Job Injuries
The Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §23:1020.1 entitles you to receive wage replacement benefits for temporary or permanent disability and free medical care for your work-related illness or injury. All jobs come with their own risks, but some have a higher risk of serious injury or occupational illness than others. Depending on your job and workplace, you may be at risk of injury from:
- Falls, either from heights or by tripping or slipping
- Electrical shocks or burns
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Chemical burns, fumes, or exposure
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Accidents with equipment or power tools
Workplace injuries like these can turn your life upside-down. You may have suffered an injury or combination of injuries, such as:
- Head or brain injury
- Bone fractures
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Shoulder injury
- Loss (or loss of use) of an extremity
- Occupational disease
Aside from an injury’s physical symptoms, you might also be dealing with the mental strain of knowing you cannot support your family and the financial pressure of mounting bills. Workers’ compensation may alleviate those pressures. This compensation may provide you with income until you are able to get back to work.
Certain Employees Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) explains how to apply for workers’ compensation benefits and what to do if your claim gets denied.
Filing for Benefits
First, make sure that your employer has workers’ compensation insurance. Most employers are legally obligated to have this insurance, but there are a few exceptions. Most of these exceptions depend on what industry you are in, not what kind of employee you are. In other words, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation regardless of if you work:
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Seasonally
- As a contractor or subcontractor (in some cases)
Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Once they know you have been off the job for seven days due to work-related injuries, the employer has a limited amount of time to file a workers’ compensation claim on your behalf. Special types of compensation are available if you can still work but not as much as before or if you lost a loved one to a work-related accident.
If all goes well, your claim may be accepted, and you can begin to receive benefits.
What to do if You Receive a Claim Denial or Inadequate Benefits
If your employer or their insurance company refuses to pay what you feel you deserve or denies your claim outright, contact them first. Settling your disagreement one-on-one is often quicker and easier than other methods.
Unfortunately, not all disputes can be fixed with a discussion. In this case, either you or the other party may request formal mediation. Having our team on your side can help you prepare for mediation, identify possible issues with your application, and determine if an appeal is necessary.
Requesting Mediation or Filing a Complaint
During a workers’ compensation mediation, a trained mediator will sit down with you and the other party. It is their job to try to help you come to an agreement. Mediation can be helpful, but you are not obligated to accept anyone else’s suggestions or offers. Neither is the other party. This document, provided by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA), explains more about your right to mediation.
If all else fails, you may file a formal complaint with the local OWCA office. This may involve filling out a form and, in most cases, paying a fee. If you run into trouble with either your employer or your insurance company when applying for benefits, you can also give Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers a call. We will fight hard on your behalf for the money you need.
Hiring a Marksville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Improve Your Odds of Success
Filing a workers’ compensation claim and going through mediation may sound like a lot of work, especially if your injury has left you at less than your best. You deserve the opportunity to focus on your recovery, not on strenuous legal matters.
A workers’ compensation lawyer from our team may help you fight for compensation while minimizing the amount of work you have to do to complete your claim. Let Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers deal with your employer and their insurance company on your behalf. We can work on your case by:
- Figuring out your options: Every case is unique. Call us today to tell us the specifics of your situation. We can strategize how to build a claim that works for your legal interests.
- Submitting the paperwork: You do not have to worry about filling things out correctly or forgetting about strict deadlines. Your lawyer can either fill out the paperwork for you or double-check your work to make sure everything is accurate.
- Collecting evidence: Document evidence, such as medical records, may help back up your claims about the accident and your injury. As such, it may persuade an insurance company to approve your claim.
- Representing you at meetings: Negotiating with an insurance company can be a daunting prospect. Let your lawyer do it for you. No matter how far you want to take your case, we will fight vigorously by your side the whole way.
- Being available to you: Our team will keep you informed of your case’s progress. If you have any questions, contact us. Someone from our team can take your call and answer your questions.
Whether you are filing a claim for your own workplace injuries or due to the death of your loved one, you do not have to go through this process alone.
Our Previous Clients are Thrilled with Our Services
No one knows the benefits of working with us better than our past clients. The following is a sampling of some of our recent Google reviews:
- “They helped me when the other party’s insurance wouldn’t answer my calls! They got the job done and efficiently!” – Lacey Mcdonald
- “The staff does their best to make every client feel welcome and cared for while working with them. My experience with them was wonderful, and I will be referring any friends in need to them in the future.” – Auzita Sajjadi
- “Don’t waste your time going anywhere else. Other lawyers promise the moon, but these guys actually got results. Thanks to them, I was able to pay for my treatment.” – Andre Darbonne
Call Our Attorneys Today to Discuss Your Workers’ Compensation Case
When you hire our firm, a Marksville workers’ compensation lawyer can work with you to get the workers’ compensation you might be entitled to receive. Whether you just started the claims process or were already denied benefits, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is ready to take on the insurance company for you.
Give us a call to reach our office in Marksville. When you put your case in our hands, you can relax while we fight for your rights.
Call or text (318) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
