Employers throughout New Orleans are expected to adhere to certain workplace safety requirements. Many of these requirements are set in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). However, not all employers adhere to these regulations, which can lead to an unsafe job site.

If you were hurt on the job because your employer ignored OSHA regulations, you may be able to seek compensation through the workers’ compensation program. Begin working to get compensation right now by contacting the team at Morris Bart.

Call (504) 613-4771 to reach a team member. Contact a New Orleans occupational safety and health administration lawyer today to start getting legal help.

The Role OSHA Plays in Workplace Safety in New Orleans

OSHA plays an important role in workplaces around the country. However, OSHA is not directly involved in workers’ compensation claims. Instead, this agency serves workers by:

Establishing safety standards for employers.
Enforcing these standards by penalizing businesses that violate them.

You should be aware that OSHA is prohibited from interfering with workers’ compensation claims. Additionally, the agency cannot step in and require that benefits be paid in specific cases. Instead, the agency focuses on setting regulations concerning standards for worker safety. For example, OSHA may order employers to:

Limit employee exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Provide safety gear to employees in hazardous areas.
Set up warnings and barriers around dangerous areas at a job site.

Employers who violate OSHA standards for employee safety may face official sanctions for their actions.

For a free legal consultation with a Occupational Safety and Health Administration lawyer serving New Orleans, call 800-537-8185

Your Workplace Injuries Can Be Reported to OSHA

After an on-the-job injury in New Orleans, you may need to report your accident right away. Generally, you will need to tell your employer that you were hurt while working. You may also need to immediately visit a medical professional to get treatment, which creates an official record of your accident.

In some situations, your employer is also required to report your injury to OSHA. Your employer may be required to report:

The loss of an eye
Accidents that result in amputations
Any worker hospitalizations
Workplace fatalities

As you can see, not all workplace accidents must be reported to OSHA. This does not mean that your injuries will not qualify for workers’ compensation. Many workplace injuries qualify for workers’ compensation payments in New Orleans if:

You were involved in an accident while working.
The accident led directly to your injuries.
The accident did not occur because you were fooling around or working while inebriated.

You may wish to speak with a New Orleans occupational safety and health administration lawyer to find out if your injuries might qualify you to receive workers’ compensation. You can find out more about all your legal options right now by calling (504) 613-4771 to speak with a team member at Morris Bart.

Compensation for On-the-Job Injuries in New Orleans

You might wonder what kinds of compensation you are eligible to receive after a job site accident in New Orleans. Depending upon your situation, you may be able to secure compensation to cover your:

Medical testing
Healthcare treatments
Rehabilitation services
Prescription medications

You may also receive compensation for your lost wages if you are unable to return to work right away after your accident. The workers’ compensation program in New Orleans may allow you to receive benefits as set out in RS 23:1221.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits

You may receive TTD benefits if you are unable to work at all. Generally, you are only eligible for these benefits until you recover from your injuries or reach a state of maximum medical improvement (MMI). Once you reach a state of MMI, you are considered unlikely to recover further by a doctor. However, you may not be fully recovered from your injuries.

Supplemental Employment Benefits (SEBs)

You may also be eligible for SEBs. These benefits may apply if you reach your point of MMI and can return to work, but not in the same position you held before. For example, if you are limited by your injury to work only part-time, SEBs may provide you with some of your missing wages for up to 10 years.

Click to contact our New Orleans Workers’ Compensation Lawyers today

Secure Legal Help from an OSHA Lawyer in New Orleans

You do not technically have to prove fault to secure workers’ compensation benefits in New Orleans. You may receive workers’ compensation benefits even without demonstrating that your employer caused your injury.

This means that you might not need to demonstrate that your employer violated OSHA standards of conduct before your accident. However, you may still want to ensure that the incident is reported to OSHA. If your employer violated legal standards and caused your injury, it may be sanctioned. This could prevent further accidents from occurring in the future.

You may also want to discuss the specifics of your situation with an OSHA lawyer in New Orleans. The team at Morris Bart is standing by to help you right now. We may be able to:

Help you file for workers’ compensation.
Assist you if your initial claim is denied.
Assess your medical expenses to ensure your losses are appropriately covered.
Answer your questions about TTD benefits and SEBs.

Note that you are not generally permitted to sue your employer for an on-the-job injury. However, you may be able to file a lawsuit if a third party caused your injuries. This may allow you to get additional compensation. Find out more about all your options with a free consultation from a lawyer based right here in New Orleans.

Contact a New Orleans OSHA Lawyer Right Now

Take charge of your future if you were hurt while working in New Orleans. You may wish to speak with a New Orleans occupational safety and health administration lawyer today. Begin focusing on your workers’ compensation claim now by reaching out to Morris Bart to receive a free, no-obligation consultation.

Reach a team member today by calling (504) 613-4771.

Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.