Workers’ Compensation Lawyer New Orleans, LA
If you have been injured while working, it may be in your best interest to consult a workers’ compensation lawyer New Orleans, LA has to offer. The reason for this is simple: between 50 and 80 percent of first-time applicants will be denied their benefits, or offered an amount which is less than what they need or deserve. If this is not something you are willing to risk, call a New Orleans, Louisiana workers’ comp lawyer.
All too often our firm has been told stories from people who suffered relentlessly because they could not get the compensation they were owed. More often than not, this happened because the injured worker was not aware of their rights. By hiring a lawyer, you can feel peace of mind in knowing your interests and rights will be protected. Our firm will seek maximum benefits for your workplace injury. Call us today.
Do You Qualify?
Most workers are eligible for workers’ compensation. There are exceptions. If you fit into any of the following, you will likely not be eligible for workers’ comp, or will qualify for a seperate program.
- You are an independent contractor
- You work on a farm that hires less than 6 people in a period of time
- You are a federal government worker
- You are a maritime or railroad worker
- You are a volunteer
If you don’t know whether you qualify for workers’ comp, you are encouraged to call a lawyer. Our firm can review your case and explain what options may be available. If you don’t qualify, there may be underinsured or state programs available. If negligence on part of a third party is a possibility, we might recommend filing a personal injury claim.
There Are Deadlines
As a workers’ compensation lawyer in New Orleans, LA might explain to you, there are strict deadlines to file for your benefits. This period of time can be anywhere from 15 to 30 days from the date of injury or diagnosis. If you miss this time, you might lose your right to benefits. If you don’t understand what is expected of you, please call our firm.
Is a Lawyer Necessary?
You can file for workers’ comp on your own, but the process is not easy. Lack of detail, one small error, a misunderstanding, or a failure to include a piece of documentation can result in a denial. It is especially recommended that anyone with a case that is anything by straightforward to retain a workers’ compensation lawyer. It should be noted that you can file an appeal, but this will only slow down your access to benefits. By hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer in New Orleans, LA, you can feel peace of mind in knowing everything is done right, the first time.
The last thing you might want to happen is to be denied workers’ compensation benefits. Because of this, we invite you to call our firm to learn more about what steps you need to take now to recover your benefits.
Slipping and Falling in New Orleans, LA
If you experience a slip and fall accident at work, you might be tempted to brush it off. Everyone falls once in a while, right? Instead of speaking with a supervisor or going to a doctor’s office, you might be tempted to laugh about it with co-workers and get back to work. Even if you are in pain as a result of the accident, you might feel like seeing a doctor and filing a workers’ compensation claim seems dramatic because you “only” experienced a fall. However, it’s important to understand that slip and fall accidents are potentially very serious and can result in permanent injury if you do not receive a proper medical evaluation after your accident. Similarly, you may be saddled with significant medical bills if you don’t report your accident and file a claim within a certain window of time. Even if you’re unsure of whether your fall resulted in any significant injuries, it’s a good idea to seek medical care and to speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer in New Orleans, LA residents trust in the wake of your accident. The experienced team at the Reddy Accident Law can help you to understand your options so that you can make an informed decision about whether to file a claim or not.
What causes slip and fall accidents at work?
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents at work are:
- Uneven or cracked flooring
- Bad lighting
- Torn or ripped rugs
- Loose wires or cables
- Slippery or wet surfaces
- Poorly maintained stairs
Workers’ compensation is not an at-fault system. Therefore, unless you slipped and fell on purpose, you should be eligible for benefits, even if you were at-fault for the accident. An experienced New Orleans, Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer at our firm can clarify your options once you tell our team about the circumstances surrounding your accident.
How do I file a workers’ compensation injury claim?
If you have never needed to file a workers’ compensation claim before, this is where our New Orleans, LA workers’ compensation lawyer team can help you. We are very familiar with the process of filing workers’ compensation claims and can ensure that you follow the necessary steps. Each state’s workers’ compensation systems are different, so it is important to speak with our team before making any assumptions about your claim.
What should you do after you fall?
The most important thing you can do after the slip and fall accident occurs is to notify your employer of the accident. Even if you are unsure that you have sustained an injury, you should tell your supervisor right away and you should go to a doctor’s office so that they can examine you and determine what kind of damage has occurred. If you are concerned that reporting your injury could lead to retaliation, it’s okay to speak with our New Orleans, LA workers’ compensation lawyer team before you report your injury, as long as you connect with us immediately after your accident.
Slipping and falling may feel like a normal “job hazard” that everyone deals with from time to time. But if you’ve been hurt as a result of a fall on the job, you don’t just have to “deal” with the consequences on your own. Connect with a New Orleans, LA workers’ compensation lawyer today to explore your options.
Understanding Medical Care While Receiving Workers’ Compensation
When you have been injured at your work, and you require medical care or can no longer perform your job duties, you may apply for workers’ compensation. This is a form of monetary compensation available through your employers’ insurance. In general, most employees in Louisiana will qualify for these benefits. If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible, call a workers’ compensation lawyer New Orleans, LA has to offer.
Once you know that you can receive these benefits, you might have questions or concerns about your medical care. What if you are denied? What if you want to choose another doctor? The following should help you to have a clearer understanding of what you can expect.
Can You Choose Your Own Medical Doctor?
Whether you can choose your own doctor largely depends on your employer, their insurance company, and other circumstances. In general, your employer will provide you with a list of doctors to choose from. If you decide on a doctor that is not included in this list, you may have to cover your own costs. If you have any concerns, and are not comfortable with any of the providers given to you, you might want to talk with your employer about approving your request to change doctors.
What if It’s an Emergency?
If you have injured yourself, and it is a medical emergency, you have the right to go to the nearest ER. An example of this might be when a heavy object falls onto your foot and you believe it’s broken. Follow up care should be sought through an approved doctor.
What if I Have an Emergency?
It is your right to go to the ER if you have an emergency. For example, if a forklift malfunctions, and an object hits your foot causing a severe laceration, you should not delay in going to the emergency room. Bear in mind, your condition should actually be an emergency. Any follow up care will need to be obtained through an approved doctor provided by your employer.
How to Pay for Your Medical Care?
As long as you get treated by an approved doctor, you should not receive any bills. Your workers’ compensation benefits should cover any related costs. If this is not true, and you are being billed, or workers’ comp is denying the bills, call a workers’ compensation lawyer in New Orleans, LA.
My Employer Is Not Paying Me My Benefits, Now What?
If you can recover workers’ compensation, but your employer is not paying them, they could face penalties from the state. These penalties are then included into your benefits. In general, if you are being denied what you believe are owed, please call a workers’ compensation lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana right away.
What Should I Do If My Claim Was Denied?
If your claim was denied, it is possible to file an appeal with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. If you have valid grounds for an appeal, a hearing will be scheduled. You will be asked to appear before a judge who will make a decision on what happens next. Hearings usually take place within 60 days of filing. It is highly recommended that you have a workers’ compensation lawyer in New Orleans present.
Call Reddy Accident Law today to learn more.