In Terrytown and all along the Westbank, Louisiana’s workers’ compensation laws cover most full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees, minors, and even in some cases, independent contractors. Workers’ compensation allows employees to recover certain benefits if they suffer an injury at the workplace.
At the Morris Bart law firm, we can work with you to gather the medical evidence needed to prove the impact of your injuries and inability to work due to the accident. A Terrytown workers’ compensation attorney from our legal team can complete the required forms, submit your claim by the required deadlines, and help with the next steps if your employer or its insurance company denies your claim.
How Morris Bart, LLC, Can Help With Your Claim
Our workers’ compensation lawyers can help protect your right to recover benefits after a workplace accident. Some of the ways we can help with your workers’ compensation claim in Terrytown include:
- Gathering the medical evidence needed to ensure you receive all the treatment required to recover from your injuries
- Helping with your Independent Medical Examination (IME) if your employer disputes the extent of your injuries or ability to return to work
- Calculating an adequate value of your claim based on several factors (e.g., the scope of your injuries, specific limitations, and your wages)
- Represent you at a workers’ compensation hearing with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA) if you can’t reach a settlement agreement
- Explain additional legal options for compensation that may apply to your case
Regardless of where you are in your claim, our workers’ compensation lawyers can help ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to under Louisiana law. Additionally, we’ll take the time to explain all legal options for recovery, including those outside of the workers’ compensation system if applicable to your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Workers’ Compensation lawyer serving Terrytown, call (504) 613-4771
What Is Covered By Workers’ Compensation in Louisiana?
According to La. R.S. § 23:13, all Terrytown businesses must provide their employees with “reasonably safe” working conditions. Workers’ compensation benefits cover any lost wages and medical care expenses that result from mental and physical injuries sustained during a workplace accident or illnesses caused by workplace exposure.
Additionally, workers’ compensation may provide payment for:
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits to surviving family members after a fatal accident
- Disability benefits if victims can no longer work
One of the most critical aspects of ensuring you receive the total amount of compensation you need is establishing a solid link between your workplace-related injuries or illness and your ability to work. We’ll use your medical records to make this correlation. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can explain what benefits you could receive in your case and determine how much to expect.
Who Pays My Workers’ Compensation Benefits If I Am Hurt On the Job in Terrytown?
In Louisiana, all employers must have some way to pay compensation to employees for injuries that happen on the job. La. R.S. § 23:1168 establishes several ways businesses can pay out benefits, including through the employer’s ability to pay workers’ compensation benefits itself or through an insurance policy. When you are hurt on the job, your employer or their insurance company pays your workers’ compensation benefits.
In Louisiana, the OWCA is responsible for enforcing the laws outlined in the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act, investigating fraud, and resolving disputes in Louisiana workers’ compensation cases. Although the OWCA handles all disputes and enforces compliance under Louisiana law, it does not pay your workers’ compensation benefits after a workplace accident.
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The Process of Filing for Workers’ Compensation After an On-the-Job Accident in Terrytown
You must complete several steps as part of the process of recovering benefits after a workplace accident on the Westbank. A workers’ compensation lawyer from our legal team can help with these steps:
- Providing written notice of your injury to your employer to start the claim process
- Ensuring that your employer correctly notifies its insurer and the OCWA of your injury
- Corresponding with the insurance company as it reviews your claim
- Helping you collect the benefits you are entitled to receive if your claim is approved
- Helping you appeal a denial of your claim
- Representing you in any mediation sessions or hearings required as part of your appeal
It is essential to follow the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim carefully to ensure you preserve your right to recover benefits. The Morris Bart law firm can help whether you have just started your claim or need representation after receiving a denial.
Understanding the Various Deadlines in a Workers’ Compensation Claim
According to La. R.S. § 23:1301, you must provide your employer with notice of your injury within 30 days of when you were hurt. After you provide notice, your employer is required to submit Form LWC-WC IA-1 to its insurance provider within 10 days. The insurance provider will then submit the report to the OCWA.
Under La. R.S. § 23:1201, if your employer or the insurance company approves the claim, your employer has 14 days to issue your first payment for lost wages or indemnity benefits and up to 60 days to issue payments for medical benefits after receiving notice of your injury.
If your employer or the insurance company denies your claim, you will need to file an LWC-WC-1008 with the OCWA within the time specified for the denial. If you need help understanding the various deadlines that may apply to your workers’ compensation claim in Terrytown, our legal team can explain what is required.
Contact Morris Bart, LLC, for Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you’ve been injured on the job on the Westbank, you might qualify for workers’ compensation benefits for your losses. Our workers’ compensation attorneys are available to assist you at every stage of your claim to ensure you recover full benefits under Louisiana law.
We are a contingency fee based firm, meaning you won’t owe us anything unless your case has been compensated. We can handle all aspects of your claim while you focus on making a full recovery.
Call the Morris Bart law firm today at (504) 613-4771 to schedule your complimentary consultation and speak with a lawyer for more information on how we may be able to help with your case.
Questions?Call (504) 613-4771
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
