You might have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if you were hurt on the job in Leesville, LA. However, getting the full value of the benefits you deserve can be challenging. The Leesville workers’ compensation lawyers at MAXOUT Injury Lawyers can help.
For nearly a decade, our attorneys have been helping injured workers like you stand up and fight for just compensation after a workplace accident. We understand how insurance companies operate and the challenges you’ll face as you navigate Louisiana’s workers’ comp system. Let us fight for you while you focus on recovering.
Contact our law offices in Leesville, Louisiana for immediate assistance. We offer a free consultation and are standing by to take your call.
Table of Contents
How Our Leesville Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Even though you may have a legal right to benefits, your employer’s insurance company won’t make things easy for you. And, the state’s workers’ compensation process is complicated enough on its own.
Hiring a Leesville personal injury lawyer can help ensure that you walk away with an award that’s representative of what you deserve.
When you choose MAXOUT Injury Lawyers to represent you in your workers’ compensation case, you can expect us to:
- Handle your claim from start to finish – from filing to hearings to arbitration to appeals (if necessary)
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your job-related injury to determine if you might have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit, too
- Handle all conversations with your employer, their insurance provider, and other interested parties
- Help to ensure that you comply with all regulations and requirements as set by Louisiana state law
Take the time to focus on getting better so you can get back to work. Trust that our accomplished Leesville personal injury attorneys will take care of your claim for benefits and fight to maximize your recovery. Contact our team to learn more. We’re always available to take your call, 24/7/365.
What is My Claim For Workers’ Compensation Benefits Worth?
It depends on the severity of your injuries and how long you’ll be unable to work (or work in the same capacity). However, keep in mind that the value of your claim isn’t unlimited. Many of the benefits are subject to caps and limits.
In Louisiana, the following benefits are available to qualified injured workers:
Medical Expenses
Injured workers are entitled to recover compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical care. If you have to travel for medical treatment, you can request reimbursement for your mileage.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
If you’re not able to return to work at all while you’re recovering, you can receive Temporary Total Disability benefits (TTD). These cover the wages you lose out on while you’re getting better.
In Louisiana, TTD equals two-thirds of your average weekly wage prior to your accident. There are statutory maximums and minimums.
If you were hurt between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022:
- The minimum TTD benefit is $198 per week (20% of the state average), and
- The maximum TTD benefit is $743 per week (75% of the state weekly average).
TTD benefits are paid until you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement or you’re diagnosed with a permanent disability.
Supplemental Earnings Benefits
If you’re able to work, even in a limited capacity, TTD benefits won’t be available. That’s where supplemental earnings benefits can help. Supplemental earnings benefits will cover two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury wages and what you can earn now.
Supplemental benefits are available for up to 520 weeks.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
A permanent total disability means that you’re entirely unable to work. This includes the type of work you did before your injury and any kind of work you may qualify to perform after your injury.
If you’re diagnosed with a permanent total disability, you can continue to receive your TTD benefits.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
A permanent partial disability means that you can work but in a very limited capacity. Typically, these involve the loss of a limb or the function of a limb. Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits equal two-thirds of your average weekly wages before you were hurt.
However, the type of anatomical loss you’ve experienced will affect your recovery.
Louisiana has a schedule for different types of amputations. For instance, the law states that for the loss of a foot, you’ll receive 66 ⅔ percent of your wages for a duration of 125 weeks.
Other benefits that might be available include:
- Catastrophic injury benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits
- Burial expenses
It’s important to work closely with an attorney familiar with Louisiana’s workers’ compensation laws and procedures. This helps ensure that you will recover the maximum benefits to which you’re entitled for your injuries.
Who Qualifies For Workers’ Compensation in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage if:
- They have at least one full or part-time employee
However, some exceptions to the requirement include certain private residence employees, private unincorporated farm employees, and musicians.
If your employer has coverage, then you may qualify for benefits if you’re a:
- Full-time employee
- Part-time employee
- Seasonal employee
Independent contractors and subcontractors may or may not qualify for benefits, depending on the type and scope of the work they’re doing for an employer. As a contractor who gets hurt on the job, it’s critical to speak with lawyers serving Leesville about whether or not you may have the right to collect workers’ compensation.
What Injuries Are Covered By Workers’ Compensation?
Any injury or occupational illness suffered while performing responsibilities related to your job should be covered by workers’ compensation in Leesville, LA.
Common work-related injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Electrical injury
- Eye injury
- Hearing loss
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
- Repetitive motion injury
- Crushing injury
- Chest injury
Work-related illnesses, including cancer and respiratory disease, can also qualify for coverage under an employer’s workers’ compensation plan.
Can I Recover Workers’ Compensation Benefits If I’m Partly Responsible For My Injury?
Generally, yes. In Louisiana, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means that injured workers can receive benefits regardless of who’s at fault.
It also means that workers waive the right to sue their employers if the employer is at fault.
As always, exceptions apply. For example, an employee likely won’t be entitled to workers’ compensation if the injury was caused by the employee’s intoxication.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim For Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
You generally have 30 days from the date you’re injured (or discover your injury) to notify your employer. If you fail to inform your employer, you’ll lose the right to recover workers’ compensation benefits.
Within ten days of receiving notice, your employer has to notify their insurance company.
We Represent All Injured Workers in Leesville, Louisiana
No matter what type of work-related accident you’ve been in, our Leesville workers’ compensation attorneys will be here to help you seek benefits.
We represent workers who have been hurt in all types of job-related accidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falls from heights
- Construction accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Electrocutions
- Commercial fishing accidents
- Warehouse accidents
- Petroleum and coal products manufacturing accidents
- Accidents involving heavy machinery, including forklifts and excavation equipment
- Exposure to toxic chemicals and substances
Whether you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident or slipped and fell at work, it’s important to consider your legal options for recovery. As long as your accident or illness is job-related, workers’ compensation benefits should be available to you. MAXOUT Injury Lawyers can help you explore your options and fight to get you the money you need to get better.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Trusted Leesville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Qualifying employees are entitled to recover monetary benefits if they suffer an injury in a work-related accident or are diagnosed with an occupational illness. However, your employer’s insurance company won’t want to pay you what your case is really worth. So, they’ll make things tough for you and fight you every step of the way.
Level the playing field by putting an experienced Leesville workers’ compensation lawyer in your corner. At MAXOUT Injury Lawyers, we have nearly a decade of experience navigating complex personal injury disputes like yours. We are ready to help you stand up and fight to not only recover benefits but ensure that you’re awarded everything you’re legally entitled to receive.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means there’s no fee unless we win your workers’ compensation matter. Your first consultation is free, so there’s no risk in getting our advice or asking for our help. Call our office location in Leesville, LA to get started now.