You should qualify for workers’ compensation if you have been injured on the job or contracted a work-related illness. If your claim is denied, you might want the assistance of a New Iberia workers’ compensation lawyer.
A personal injury lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you and your family need.
What Can Qualify You for Workers’ Compensation in New Iberia?
You can qualify for workers’ compensation in a few different ways. Many people think that they can only file for benefits after some kind of accident and serious injury, but this is not the case. Any of the following can allow you to file for workers’ compensation:
A Serious Injury From an Accident
There are plenty of things that can go wrong in a workplace. Slip and fall accidents, falls from high heights, equipment malfunctions, and exposure to dangerous materials can all cause serious injuries.
Whether you are dealing with broken bones, spinal cord injury, or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) like a concussion, you are entitled to workers’ compensation if that injury occurred in the workplace.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive stress injuries can seem like minor medical issues, but living with such injuries can be a draining experience. These injuries are caused by repeated movements and can worsen over time without treatment. This repetition eventually ends up causing pain to the tendons, nerves, or muscles. Repetitive stress injuries can leave victims with pain, numbness, and stiffness in their joints.
Illness
In some cases, work conditions can cause an employee to develop a serious illness. If you get sick on the job, you should be compensated.
Loss of a Sense
Some accidents can cause you to lose your hearing or sight. This can affect your ability to go back to your current job or your ability to work at all.
For a free legal consultation with a workers' compensation lawyer serving New Iberia, call (337)-547-2777
There Is a Time Limit For Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
When you are injured at work or have developed an illness due to your working conditions, you need to act quickly. You have just 30 days to report your injury, or you could lose out on your chance to receive compensation, per RS §23:1301.
Our workers’ compensation lawyers in New Iberia, LA can help you understand this deadline to make sure you don’t miss out on the compensation you deserve.
New Iberia Workers' Compensation Lawyer Near Me (337)-547-2777
The Process for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in New Iberia
The process for filing a workers’ compensation claim can be straightforward if your claim is accepted.
After you suffered a work-related illness or injury, you report your injury to your employer. Your employer will report your injury to their insurer. From there, the claim goes to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA), the state agency that handles such claims. If the claim is successful, you will receive benefits that help you pay the bills while you are unable to work.
If your claim is denied, our New Iberia, LA workers’ compensation attorney can help you appeal this decision.
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What Your Workers’ Compensation Can Help Cover
Your benefits, how much you receive, and for how long you receive them depend largely on the nature of your injury and when you will be able to return to work.
These benefits can help you cover the cost of:
Hospital and Medical Bills
Your injury could result in a hospital stay and plenty of other medical bills. Whether you have to go to doctor’s appointments, pick up prescription medications, or enroll in therapy, your workers’ compensation can help with those bills.
The Cost of Future Care
Your injuries could end up affecting you for months, years, or even your entire life. If you need future care, your compensation could help you cover those bills as well.
Lost Income
The primary purpose of the workers’ compensation system is to help your family stay financially afloat while you cannot work. Your compensation can help you make up for the income you miss while you recover from your injuries.
Loss of Future Earning Potential
If your injury leaves you partially or totally disabled, that is going to affect your ability to work in the future. That could mean lower paychecks, the inability to work in the same field, or even the complete inability to work at all.
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When Hiring a Lawyer Could Benefit Your Workers’ Compensation Case
In some cases, your workers’ compensation may be denied. Your workplace may accuse you of causing the accident while you were on drugs or under the influence of alcohol. They may try to say that the incident that caused the injury or illness did not occur at the workplace. They could even blame one of your preexisting health conditions for your current issue.
Whatever the reasons are for declining your workers’ compensation request, you have the chance to fight back. You can file an appeal with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA) and fight for the compensation you deserve.
This is also a good time to seek out the assistance of one of our workers’ compensation lawyers serving New Iberia. We can help you defend your claim and prove that you deserve compensation.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help Determine the Cause of Your Injury
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning that workers can still receive compensation even if the injury was found to be their fault.
Some causes of workplace injuries include:
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Radiation exposure
- Electric shock
- Slip and falls
If any other incident caused your workplace injury, a workers’ compensation attorney in New Iberia from our firm can use this information when building your case.
How Your Lawyer Could Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Case
Appealing a workers’ compensation claim on your own can be tough, but your lawyer can do many things to make the process easier. Your attorney will:
- Answer any questions you have
- Help you navigate the state workers’ compensation system
- Gather the evidence needed to make your appeal
- Represent you in a hearing in front of an OWCA judge
- Defend you from accusations levied by your employer
- Handle all communications for you
You should not have to fight for the compensation you deserve on your own. Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Iberia Parish can help you recover compensation.
Affording an Attorney From Our Firm Will Not Be a Problem
If you are worried about the cost of an attorney, we understand. You and your family are likely dealing with enough financial stress right now. That is why we work these cases on contingency. We only get paid once your claim is accepted and a settlement is made. There is no upfront cost.
You can also contact our team for a free consultation.
Get Your Free Workers’ Compensation Consultation Today
If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, you could contact Laborde Earle Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Iberia Parish can help you defend your claim.
There is no obligation when you call for a consultation, and we would be glad to tell you more about what a workers’ compensation law firm can do for workers in New Iberia.
Contact us today to learn more about your legal options.
Call or text (337)-547-2777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
