Being out of work due to an injury that was caused by the negligence of someone else or your company is a frustrating and worrying experience. The financial hardship and emotional distress that can result from a workplace injury are not consequences that you should have to deal with alone.

Workers’ compensation is intended to provide support for injured workers while they recover. Every Louisiana employer is required to carry this insurance coverage to help pay for lost wages and medical costs for workers who suffered an injury on the job.

Too often workers are at a disadvantage in this system and are forced to struggle for their legally protected benefits. Talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer in Alexandria, Louisiana with our firm right now at 318.443.8888.

Why You Need an Alexandria Workers’ Compensation Attorney

After an injury on the job, it is important that you act as quickly as possible to retain legal help with your workers’ compensation claim.

At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, we have 679+ years of combined legal experience. With our great knowledge, G Guarantee, and 200+ Personal Injury Million+ verdicts and settlements, we’re your ultimate advocates for Louisiana Workers Comp cases.

If you are concerned that your employer or their insurer is withholding your rightful benefits, contact an Alexandria workers’ compensation lawyer today at 318.443.8888.

Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits in Alexandria

Workers’ compensation covers a percentage of your lost earnings while you cannot work as a result of your injury.

Louisiana law entitles workers to several types of wage benefits. Here’s what you may qualify for:

• Temporary Total Disability – If your doctor provides specific certifications that you cannot return to work while you are in the process of recovering from your injury, you could receive these benefits.
  
  
• Temporary Partial Disability – If your injury hinders you from being able to perform specific duties but you are still able to work at a reduced job level, these benefits will cover the difference in pay.
  
  
• Permanent Partial Disability Benefits – Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your work-related injury beyond the period of time that you are physically unable to work.
  
  
• Total and Permanent Disability – In the event your injury completely prevents you from being able to work at all in the future, these benefits would be available to you.

Workers’ Compensation Medical Benefits

All of the treatments and medical care that are necessary for your workplace injury are covered by workers’ compensation.

Injured workers have a right to select their physician. However, the employer may also choose a doctor to provide additional medical guidance on your injury.

While these benefits seem like they should be straightforward, many times your employer’s insurance company will drag their feet on approval of medical tests and procedures, or even try to deny some treatments altogether.

When you hire an Alexandria workplace injury lawyer to handle your workers’ comp case, you can be sure you will receive all the medical care you need to heal from your injury.

Vocational Retraining

If you are unable to go back to your previous occupation because of your injury, you may be eligible for vocational services that are covered by the insurance company.

These services are designed to assist you with finding another job in Alexandria or near where you live that aligns with your post-injury work capacity.

A workers’ compensation attorney will help you through each step in this process and make sure you do not return to work before you are officially released by your doctor’s order.

Steps to Take for Workers Compensation Claims in Alexandria

Workplace injuries are subject to strict time limitations. This is why it is critical to report your injury to your supervisor immediately and confirm that a formal accident report has been filed with your employer.

These steps will ensure that your claim is documented in a timely manner and help prevent any unnecessary delays in receiving your coverage.

Claims for on-the-job injuries must be made within a year of the day the accident occurred.

For work-related illnesses, employees have one year from the date that the disease is discovered, or the date that the employee is unable to work as a result of the disease, or if the employee is aware that the illness is directly associated with their job.

Statute of Limitation Changes in Louisiana

In 2024, Louisiana law extended the statute of limitations for personal injury claims occurring on or after July 1, 2024, from one year to two years. Any injuries that occurred before July 1, 2024, will still have a 1-year statute of limitation. Learn more about Louisiana’s New Statute of Limitations here.

• 1 year for injuries sustained before July 1, 2024.
• 2 years for injuries suffered after July 1, 2024.

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline that sets a time frame for filing a lawsuit. In Louisiana, this is known as the “prescriptive period,” which determines how long you have to take legal action against the responsible party after an injury occurs.

Get a Workers Comp Lawyer To Protect Your Benefits at Gordon McKernan

Even when workers follow the appropriate claim processes, they may still have their workers’ compensation unfairly denied to them.

Professional representation from experienced and trustworthy workers comp attorneys who focus on this area of the law will arm you with the legal support you need to stand up to the insurance company.

Contact our Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers to discuss your case regarding a denial or violation of your workers’ compensation rights. Our Alexandria, LA law firm is available by phone or live online chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has recovered over $3 Billion for injured clients from all over Louisiana.

Don’t hesitate – call us at 318.443.8888 for a FREE consultation today. Get Gordon and Get It Done!