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When to File a Work Injury Lawsuit in New Orleans, LA

A business man on the ground after a slip and fall accident

Louisiana is a no-fault state when it comes to workers’ compensation benefits. What this means is that most employees can seek compensation for injuries on the job through their employer’s insurance company. In most cases, a lawsuit will never be filed, but there are situations in which taking legal action will be essential for getting full benefits.

Keep reading to learn more about when to file a lawsuit for a workplace accident and what benefits you may be owed.

Key Takeaways

  • Injured employees should consider taking legal action if all or part of their workers’ comp claim has been denied, if benefits are terminated, or if medical treatment coverage is refused.
  • You may need to file a personal injury lawsuit if you plan on seeking compensation for pain and suffering damages.
  • For work-related injury claims, you will have one year from the date of the injury or diagnosis in which to take legal action against your employer or their insurer.
  • You may be owed compensation for medical care, lost wages, permanent disability or permanent partial disability, and more.

When Should Injured Workers Take Legal Action?

Under Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system, workplace injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, regardless of fault. That means that you won’t need to prove that your employer was responsible for your accident. It also means that you typically will not need to file a lawsuit to get coverage from your employer’s workers' compensation insurance carrier. However, there are cases in which filing a workers’ compensation lawsuit in New Orleans may be necessary:

  • Your employer’s insurance has denied your claim for wage, death, or medical benefits.
  • Your employer’s insurance is claiming your medical care is not medically necessary.
  • Your workers’ compensation benefits are terminated.

In these cases, it’s important to get help from a Louisiana workers’ compensation law firm to protect your rights to a fair settlement.

How Long Do You Have to File a Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Under Louisiana law, there is a time limit on the workers' compensation process when it comes to filing a claim. You will have one year from the date of your injury in which to file a workers’ compensation claim for benefits, with some exceptions. If your injury was not diagnosed until some time later, your time limit may start on that date. For some workers’ comp cases, the one-year time limit may begin at the date of the late payment of benefits.

For help determining how long you have to recover compensation for injuries occurring at work, reach out to a New Orleans workplace injury lawyer. 

Compensation for Common Workplace Injuries

Through a workers’ compensation claim, New Orleans employees are owed the following types of benefits:

  • Medical bills
  • Rehabilitation
  • Wage replacement
  • Death benefits

Keep in mind that workers’ compensation claims do not guarantee pain and suffering damages. If you plan on seeking compensation for things like emotional distress, physical pain, and Post-Traumatic Stress disorder, you should talk to a workers’ compensation attorney about your legal options.

Punitive damages, or damages paid in order to punish employers for extreme wrongdoing, are also typically awarded through legal action, not a claim.

How Wage Replacement Works

Wage benefits typically include coverage for two-thirds (roughly 67%) of a worker’s average weekly wage for lost income. Your eligibility is determined once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, and is separated between permanent disability, temporary total disability, and temporary partial disability, as well as supplemental earning benefits:

  • Permanent Disability – For cases of permanent impairment
  • Temporary Total Disability – For cases where workers are temporarily totally unable to work
  • Temporary Partial Disability – For cases where workers can perform limited duties
  • Supplemental Earning Benefits – For cases where the employee returns to work but earns less than 90% of their average wage before the injury

Seek Justice for Job-Related Injuries With Cardone Law Firm

From broken bones and other traumatic injuries to occupational illnesses like respiratory diseases and skin conditions, if you’re injured at work, benefits should be available for your medical expenses, lost wages, and any needed rehabilitation. If you’re having any kind of trouble getting the coverage you need, you should consider getting help from an attorney. 

Here at the Cardone Law Firm, we pride ourselves on helping injured workers get fair benefits through the workers’ comp claim process. You can reach out for your free case evaluation from our capable New Orleans workers’ compensation attorneys.

Injured on the job? Get help from a New Orleans workers’ compensation lawyer you can count on. Get in touch with the Cardone Law Firm today.

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