Workers' Compensation Lawyer in Houma

If you’ve been hurt at work, you may be entitled to receive benefits through Louisiana’s Workers’ Compensation law. However, if your employer is dragging their feet or trying to claim your injuries aren’t as serious as they are, you need help from an experienced Houma workers’ compensation attorney.

Injuries at work can be devastating, physically, mentally, and financially. If you’re getting the run-around from your company’s HR office, the state workers’ comp office, or someone else, you need a Houma workers’ comp lawyer who knows the law and how to get you the money you deserve.

Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have been helping victims of workplace accidents get back on their feet for over 30 years. We know how to get companies to pay for workers’ on-the-clock injuries. If you’ve been hurt on the job and your employer is trying not to pay for your medical care or your lost wages, give us a call. We provide free legal consultations and are dedicated to our clients.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Every employer in Louisiana is required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance covers instances where employees are harmed while working. However, the more a business uses workers’ comp insurance, the higher their premiums. This means that your employer could try to claim your injuries aren’t as bad as they are, or that they don’t exist, to save themselves money.

In these instances, you’re not only fighting for your health. You’re fighting against a bureaucratic machine built to keep you from receiving your due compensation. A seasoned Houma workers’ compensation attorney can help you get the money you need to pay your medical bills and properly heal. Call us today for a free consultation.

Who is Covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Most Louisiana employees are covered by workers’ comp insurance from the day they start employment, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. However, the law defines exceptions for certain professions and employees:

• Directors of some non-profits
• Domestic employees
• Public officials
• Real estate agents
• Subcontractors and independent contractors
• Uncompensated officers of some non-profits
• Volunteers

If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for workers’ comp insurance, call a Houma workers’ compensation attorney and ask them. We’re trained to understand all areas of the law and can help you understand your options.

If you think your employer doesn’t carry workers’ compensation insurance when they should, or if you suspect they’re not approved to self-insure, you can report the violation to the state. Call the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration Fraud & Compliance at (800) 201-3362.

What Types of Workers’ Compensation Are There?

In Louisiana, the law defines four types of workplace injury compensation:

1. Temporary total disability. These benefits are designed to help victims while they’re recovering from an injury and can’t return to work for a certain amount of time.
2. Temporary partial disability. If your injury isn’t so bad that you can’t work, but you are unable to perform parts of your job, temporary partial disability benefits can help make up the difference.
3. Permanent partial disability. If your injuries leave you permanently disabled but you can still work in some capacity, these benefits can provide extended financial support.
4. Total and permanent disability. If you’ve been permanently and totally disabled and will be unable to work for the rest of your life, these benefits may apply to your case.

What Damages Can Be Covered by Workers’ Comp?

Most of the costs you sustain from your Houma workplace injuries should be covered by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance. Those costs can include the following:

• Injuries or accidents while on the clock
• Lost wages or indemnity benefits
• Disability benefits
• Physical therapy, rehab, and other ongoing care
• Funeral costs if your loved one died on the job
• Illness
• Repetitive stress injuries
• and others

When to Report Your Houma Workplace Accident

If you’re hurt at work, notify your employer as soon as possible. If you can’t tell them right away, Louisiana law allows 30 days for workers to notify their employers of their workplace injuries.

You’ll have one to three years to file a workers’ compensation claim for your medical treatment. If you don’t file a claim before the deadline, you’ll be ineligible for benefits. We recommend filing a claim as soon as possible to ensure you get the help you need.

Why Do I Need a Houma Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

Employers and insurers lose money when paying out what they owe for employees’ injuries. Insurance premiums are based in part on a company’s claim history, so acknowledging the extent of your injuries can affect your employer’s bottom line. On top of that, insurance will want to settle your case as quickly and as cheaply as possible.

As a result, you could find yourself fighting against two companies trying to minimize your injuries and make excuses. It can all seem so overwhelming, which is where an experienced Houma workers’ compensation lawyer can help.

The team of Houma workers’ comp lawyers with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys law firm understands what you’re going through. We’ve helped hundreds of clients to heal from their injuries and move on with their lives. We’re dedicated to you and will fight for your rights, even if that takes us to court.

If you’re tired of being jerked around after a workplace injury, call us today. We’ve helped Houma victims of workplace injuries recover millions of dollars in compensation. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us a dime. Guaranteed.