Have you been injured while working in Metairie, Louisiana? You don’t have to struggle with the costs of medical care or lost wages on your own. Call the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C and discover how our Metairie workers’ compensation lawyers can help you fight for benefits that can help you get back on your feet.
For over three decades, workers and families in Metairie and throughout the state of Louisiana have trusted the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. after catastrophic accidents at work. We’re known for our fearless approach to litigation and unwavering support of our client’s rights. We’ve helped clients win millions in monetary awards, including benefits paid through the workers’ compensation insurance system.
Don’t leave benefits on the negotiating table. Demand a top recovery by trusting our award-winning Louisiana litigators to fight for you. Call our Metairie law office at (504) 500-5000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
How the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. Can Help You Recover Workers’ Compensation Benefits After an Accident in Metairie, LA
Louisiana’s workforce is essential to the state’s economy and growth. However, every job carries certain risks. Whether you spend your day behind a desk, driving a tractor-trailer, on a construction site, or working in some other capacity, it’s possible you’ll become or get hurt in the course of your employment.
Louisiana has safeguards in place to help you get back on your feet after an injury. However, recovering the monetary benefits to which you may be entitled under the law can be a challenge.
One of the best decisions you can make is to hire an experienced Metairie personal injury lawyer to represent you throughout the workers’ compensation claims process.
Choosing the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. puts honest, respected civil trial attorneys with decades of experience in your corner. We’ve been recognized as Best Lawyers in Louisiana by SEOlium, Platinum Client Champions by Martindale-Hubbell, and Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.
We’re not afraid to take on powerful corporations to make sure our clients have every opportunity to recover the money they need to move on with their lives after serious on-the-job accidents.
Our team is prepared to take care of all aspects of your claim for workers’ compensation benefits, including:
- Ensuring your employer is notified of your intent to pursue benefits within 30 days of the date you were injured
- Conducting an independent investigation into your work-related injury
- Gathering the documents that will be required to prove your losses and support your claim for benefits
- Determining if you may also have the right to seek additional compensation through a civil workplace accident lawsuit
- Demanding that your employer’s insurance company pay you the maximum benefits to which you’re entitled under Louisiana state law
- Representing you at all stages of the claims process, including hearings, negotiations, appeals, and/or before a workers’ compensation judge, if necessary
Contact our Metairie law office for help today. There’s no charge for your first consultation.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Louisiana’s Workers’ Compensation Law requires most employers to have a workers’ compensation insurance policy, even if they only have one employee. Workers’ compensation is designed to allow workers who get hurt or become ill on the job to recover compensation without having to file a lawsuit within the state’s civil justice system, which is often a time-consuming and stressful process.
Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system has many benefits:
- Workers have the opportunity to recover compensation regardless of fault – even if they caused their workplace injury because they were negligent
- The timeframe for recovering benefits is often faster than if the worker had to file a civil lawsuit against their employer
- Employers don’t have to worry about being sued every time a worker gets hurt
However, there are limitations as to when workers’ compensation benefits can be paid. Most often, these limits have to do with worker classifications.
Who Can Qualify For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Metairie?
You might qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if:
- You work for an employer who is legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance
- You suffer a work-related injury in the course of your employment
- You’re classified as an employee, not an independent contractor
An injury is considered “work-related” if it’s sustained in the normal course of your employment. In other words, you get hurt while you’re carrying out job-related tasks or responsibilities for your employer. You do not necessarily have to be physically at work when you get hurt to qualify for workers’ compensation.
For instance, you might qualify for workers’ compensation if you’re injured in a traffic accident, as long as you’re driving for a work-related purpose. Benefits likely wouldn’t be available if you were commuting to or from work or if you were on a personal break.
What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can I Recover After an On-the-Job Accident in Metairie?
Workers’ compensation benefits can be a huge help when you’re injured on a construction site, in a slip and fall accident at work, or while lifting heavy boxes in a warehouse – especially if your injuries are particularly severe. In Louisiana, a qualifying employee can recover economic damages to offset two main types of monetary losses – those for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Medical Expenses
Your employer must cover costs related to reasonable and necessary medical care, such as hospitalization, medication, surgery, rehabilitation, and follow-up treatment. Expenses are awarded until you achieve Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), as established by your doctor.
Temporary Total Disability
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits can be paid to help you deal with a sudden loss of income because your work-related injury prevents you from going back to work in any capacity for a limited time. TTD benefits equal two-thirds of your average weekly wage, but are subject to statutory caps.
Permanent Partial Disability
If you’ve suffered an anatomical loss or amputation, Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits can help to bridge the gap between your pre-and-post injury income. Benefits are typically equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage for an amount of time that’s specifically related to your physical disability. For instance, if you lose your index finger in a work accident, you can receive PPD for 30 weeks.
Permanent Total Disability
If your workplace injury prevents you from working in any capacity – whether it’s related or unrelated to your previous job – you can qualify for Permanent Total Disability (PTD). PTD benefits can be paid for life.
Death Benefits
If you’ve lost a close family member in a fatal workplace accident in Metairie, you might qualify for death benefits under their employer’s workers’ compensation policy. Death benefits can include compensation for lost wages and the costs of a funeral.
Workers’ compensation does not award non-economic damages. However, additional compensation might be available to you through a civil personal injury lawsuit if someone other than your employer contributed to or caused your work-related injury.
Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits if I’m Blamed for My Workplace Accident?
Yes. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, so you’ll be entitled to benefits even if you contributed to your injury – as long as you qualify in all other ways.
However, Louisiana’s pure comparative negligence statute will apply to any related civil legal claims you decide to pursue – meaning that any responsibility you have for the accident will offset any award or settlement.
For example, if you have damages of $100,000 and are found to be 20% responsible for the accident, then you will lose your right to 20% of the total damages and only be entitled to $80,000.
How Long Will I Have to File a Claim For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Louisiana?
You must typically file your claim for workers’ compensation benefits within one year of the date you suffered your workplace injury. However, there are some exceptions. If you miss the applicable filing deadline, you’ll lose the ability to recover benefits that can be invaluable to you as you fight to get back on your feet and back to work.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Metairie?
Workers’ compensation firms often work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer only gets paid if they get a settlement or judgment in your case.
If the lawyer loses the case, then you pay nothing. At the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C., we use contingency fees because we believe that clients should focus on their personal recovery rather than footing legal fees upfront.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Metairie Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Getting hurt on the job in Metairie, Louisiana, can be stressful, especially if you suffer broken bones, a brain injury, damage to your spinal cord, or other catastrophic injuries. Medical bills and time away from work can make it difficult for you to make ends meet. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits can help to make your road to recovery more manageable.
Call the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. for help not only winning your claim for benefits but walking away with the maximum benefits to which you’re entitled under Louisiana state law.
Our Metairie workers’ compensation attorneys are skilled legal advocates dedicated to improving the lives of clients like you. Choose us to represent you and put over 30 years of combined experience and unmatched resources behind your legal fight.
Your first consultation is free. Contact our Metairie law office to get started now.
