Workers' Compensation Lawyer in Gonzales

A typical day at work in Gonzales, LA is an enjoyable experience, thanks to diverse jobs that cater to people of all personalities and lifestyles. However, it’s important to know that no matter how much a place of employment does everything to make sure the overall environment is safe, accidents happen.

If you’ve been injured at work, you deserve financial compensation for your injuries. A workers’ compensation attorney at our firm can help make sure you’re given what you’re owed!

No matter what the work injury entails, it has the potential to have long-term emotional and financial effects on not only you but your loved ones as well. Even the smallest workplace accidents can leave you or someone you know with hefty medical expenses, missed wages, and persistent agony.

Reach out to our Gonzales workers’ compensation attorneys for assistance if you’re suffering from a job injury and we’ll fight to get you every penny you deserve.

What are the Workers’ Compensation Requirements in Louisiana?

According to Louisiana workers’ compensation laws, most employers are required to have this coverage. Whether the business consists of 1 employee or 100, the law applies to workers who are:

• Part-time
• Full-time
• Seasonal employees
• Minors

There are some workers’ comp exemptions, including:

• Musicians and performers who provide services outlined on a performance contract.
  
  
• Employees of a private unincorporated farm.
  
  
• Real estate salesmen or brokers who are licensed to do business in the state of LA.
  
  
• Employees of a private residential homeowner.
  
  
• Members of airplane crews involved in spraying or dusting operations.
  
  
• Uncompensated members and officers of a board of directors for nonprofit organizations.
  
  
• Any landman performing development, exploration, production, or mineral transportation.
  
  
• Employees that are covered by the Jones Act, Federal Employer’s Liability Act, Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

Please note: workers’ comp requirements differ from one business to another, however, if there is any amount of workers, a policy will more than likely be needed.

Furthermore, if a sole proprietor doesn’t have employees they may not need workers’ comp insurance. Corporate officers have the option to file for an exemption for this type of insurance if they own a specific percentage of a business.

What Workers’ Compensation Benefits are Given in Louisiana?

Louisiana law allows for four types of compensation after a workplace injury including:

• Temporary Total Disability benefits help you make ends meet while you’re recovering from your work injury and unable to return to work in the interim.
  
  
• Temporary Partial Disability applies when your injury isn’t bad enough to completely miss work while you heal, but you’re unable to perform certain job requirements—in these cases, temporary partial disability benefits can make up the difference in your pay.
  
  
• Permanent Partial Disability benefits are extended financial support, beyond physical impairment coverage, that may be eligible for you to collect depending on your injury and situation.
  
  
• Total and Permanent Disability benefits can help cover your costs if your injury has rendered you completely unable to work for the rest of your life.

Workers’ comp coverage carried by Louisiana businesses can help cover damages for employees when injured on the clock including situations such as:

• When an employee is unable to work and needs time off to recover before they can return to work, they are entitled to lost wages, often known as indemnity benefits.
  
  
• Medical costs for injuries or accidents that need medical attention and happen on the job.
  
  
• When an employee sustains a serious injury and cannot return to work, they are entitled to disability benefits. Workers’ compensation disability payments also apply to any permanent total disabilities your employee experiences while on the job.
  
  
• When a sickness or injury requires additional care, such as physical therapy or vocational rehabilitation, ongoing care is provided.
  
  
• In the terrible event that an employee passes away while working, funeral expenses. Funeral and associated costs are covered by these death benefits.
  
  
• Injuries brought on by prolonged repetitive stress. An employee may become incapacitated as a result of these repetitive stress injuries, which can take months or years to develop.

Types of Workers’ Comp Claims in Gonzales

The following are common workers’ compensation claims in Louisiana:

• Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries
• Burns
• Joint sprains and strains
• Over-exertion caused by lifting, pushing, carrying, or pulling too much
• Injuries caused by collisions with large or heavy objects
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Eye injuries
• Hearing loss
• Crushing or compression injuries
• Neck and spinal cord injuries that could lead to paralysis
• Broken bones
• Accidents while driving
• Repetitive motion injury
• Catastrophic injuries including amputations
• Illnesses brought on by dangerous chemicals or other toxic substances
• Injuries caused by heavy equipment malfunction
• Assaults and other violent acts that occurred at work

A Gonzales Workers’ Comp Lawyer Can Help You Gain the Compensation You Deserve

If you’ve been injured at work, no matter how minor or big it may seem, inform your employer as soon as possible.

You’ll have a limited amount of time after the injury to make a claim, so file a report and see a medical professional as soon as you can. Louisiana law stipulates a 1-year statute of limitations for most workers’ compensation claims.

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.

Our Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers are here for you if you were hurt at work. Contact our Gonzales law office today at 225.888.8888 for a FREE consultation with one of our dedicated workers’ comp attorneys.

Get Gordon and Get It Done!