Workers' Compensation Lawyer in Zachary

If you’ve been injured at work in Zachary, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, many employers will fight tooth and nail to keep you from those benefits, because their workers’ comp insurance premiums could increase.

Meanwhile, your injuries can be devastating. You could be dealing with high medical bills, an inability to work, and unneeded pain and suffering. If you’re getting jerked around by HR or the workers’ comp office, you need a workers’ compensation lawyer who knows the law and can fight for you. You need Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

By law, nearly every employer in Louisiana is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages, of employees injured while at work. There are a few industries, such as the oil and gas, entertainment, and airline industries, that are exempt from the requirement. Most other businesses will suffer fines of up to $10,000 if they fail to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

In general, you’ll be able to draw up to 2/3 of your average wage for up to 100 weeks on temporary total disability. In catastrophic injury cases, you could receive up to 520 weeks of benefits or take a $50,000 lump sum.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance Covers Most Louisiana Workers

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports that the vast majority of employees in Louisiana are covered by some form of workers’ compensation insurance. However, there are a few exceptions to the types of employees covered:

• Domestic employees
• Licensed real estate agents
• Public officials
• Directors of some non-profit organizations
• Most volunteers
• Independent contractors and subcontractors that aren’t in the same trade as their client and aren’t performing manual labor
• Undocumented immigrants
• Some railroad employees
• Airplane crews while dusting or spraying
• Mine workers or anyone performing mining-related services

Business Self-Insurance

Businesses in Zachary may also self-insure if they meet the financial requirements to do so, or self-insure and have insurance from a private carrier. However, the majority of employers carry workers’ compensation through standard carriers or licensed insurance agents.

Types of Workers’ Compensation

Louisiana state law provides for four types of workers’ compensation insurance coverage, depending on the type and severity of your injury:

• Temporary partial disability benefits can apply when your injuries prevent you from performing your whole job, but you’re still able to perform some duties. In those cases, temporary partial disability benefits can help bridge the gap in your pay.
• Temporary total disability can help you make ends meet if your injuries are serious enough to prevent you from working while you heal.
• Permanent partial disability benefits include extended financial support for those who suffer permanent, relatively minor disability from their injuries.
• Total and permanent disability coverage can pay for the costs of your injury if you’re completely unable to work for the rest of your life due to your workplace injury.

What Can Be Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

When an employee is injured while on the clock, workers’ compensation insurance can cover most of the costs associated with that injury. Your employer’s insurance should help you pay for the following:

• Damages from accidents or injuries that happened while working
• Lost wages due to an inability to work
• Disability benefits if you’re left unable to work
• Physical therapy, rehabilitation services, and other ongoing care
• In the tragic event of a workplace death, workers’ comp can pay for funeral costs
• Costs associated with repetitive stress injury such as carpal tunnel

Common Workers’ Compensation Claims in Zachary

Zachary, along with the rest of Louisiana, is home to a wide array of industries that provide tremendous opportunity to Louisianans such as chemical and industrial plants, oil rigs and refineries, and more. However, due to the nature of the work, many of these jobs present an increased risk of injury—and even death—while on the job.

Even though many jobs come with known safety risks, workers’ compensation coverage is in place to help employees recover after a variety of possible workplace injuries including:

• Joint sprains and strains
• Burns
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Injuries caused by collisions with large or heavy objects
• Crushing or compression injuries
• Head or brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Catastrophic injuries including amputations
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Driving accidents
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries that could lead to paralysis
• Injuries caused by heavy equipment malfunctions
• Over-exertion
• Hearing loss
• Vision injuries
• And more

Reporting Your Workplace Accident

After your workplace injury, report it to your employer as soon as possible. Louisiana law stipulates a time limit of 30 days past the date of first knowledge of the injury to notify your employer. The employer then has 10 days to notify the state of the injury and begin the workers’ compensation process.

Furthermore, Louisiana requires a workers’ compensation claim be filed within one to three years of the injury to pay for your medical costs. If you fail to file a claim within this time period, you could lose your benefits.

Why Do I Need a Zachary Workers’ Comp Attorney?

Sadly, many employers will be reluctant to acknowledge workplace injuries and begin the claim process. Likewise, insurance companies will attempt to settle as quickly and as cheaply as possible. The Zachary workers’ comp injury lawyers with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys know that the minimum is rarely enough for you to fully heal or move on with your life.

If your employer or their insurance is giving you the run-around, give Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys a call at 225.888.8888 for a free consultation. A dedicated attorney will listen to your situation and provide advice on your next steps. Then, we’ll get to work getting you the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.