What is Worker’s Comp?

Workers’ comp in Louisiana may seem straightforward, but it can be extremely complex if you haven’t had to deal with a claim before. A workers’ comp attorney in New Orleans with Irpino, Avin & Hawkins can help you navigate these complexities and make sure your rights are protected at all times.

Here’s some information on how the program works and how a lawyer can help if you have any issues.

How the System Works

If you suffer a workplace injury, you will need to file a workers’ compensation claim to be eligible to receive money for medical expenses and the time you’ll miss from your job. In the majority of instances, injured employees can’t file a workers’ comp lawsuit in New Orleans, but there are some exceptions.

The way the system is set up, it doesn’t matter whether your injury occurred due to carelessness on the part of your employer. The most important thing is that you were either hurt or became ill while performing your job. Even if you were the cause of the accident, you will more than likely still be able to obtain workers’ comp benefits.

You should get in touch with a workers’ comp lawyer in New Orleans if you have any questions concerning your eligibility for benefits if you caused your injury.

How Much Money Will You Get?

The amount of compensation you receive will depend on a lot of different factors. You might be able to obtain reimbursement for your medical bills, a portion of your lost wages and other benefits. If you are the family member of someone killed on the job, you might be able to obtain death benefits from the employer.

There are certain groups of people, however, who are not able to file workers’ comp claims, such as volunteers and independent contractors. But some unscrupulous employers will try and claim that a worker is an independent contractor rather than an employee to avoid having to pay benefits. If you fall into this category and feel you’re being treated unfairly, you’ll need to get in touch with a hurt on the job lawyer as quickly as possible.

Filing a Workers Comp Lawsuit in New Orleans

As long as you are a covered employee, you should receive workers’ comp benefits if you’ve been injured on the job. However, there are certain circumstances under which you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for your suffering.

For example, you can take legal action if your employer intentionally injured you. You might, in some instances, be able to sue a third party for being partially responsible for causing the accident. You might have fallen from a ladder that was defectively manufactured or been involved in an accident while driving a company vehicle that failed due to a defective part.

If the accident took place due to the negligence of another driver, you might be able to take action against either that driver or his or her insurance company.

Talk to a Workers’ Comp Attorney in New Orleans

Again, the workers’ comp system in Louisiana can be tough to navigate if you don’t have any experience. At Irpino, Avin & Hawkins, we have a great deal of expertise in this area of the law. We can make sure you’re being treated fairly by calculating your medical expenses as well as any other bills you may incur in the future due to your injury. We’ll also help determine the severity of any disability you might have suffered. If your claim is denied, we’ll help with your appeal and go to trial if necessary.

If you’d like to learn more or schedule a consultation, get in touch with us by calling 800-7500-LAW or by contacting us online.