Workplace accidents occur every day in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana. Most Louisiana employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation benefits provide injured employers with money to pay for medical bills and replace their lost income. Filing for workers’ compensation benefits may seem easy, but legal complications can arise with your claim. Your employer may brush off your claim, or the insurance company may deny your claim outright or refuse to pay you the amount of compensation you deserve. In other cases, injured workers may have a valid legal claim for compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact Our Skilled Workplace Accident Lawyers Today
If you or your loved one have been involved in a workplace accident that caused you injuries, you need an experienced New Orleans workplace accident lawyer. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can help you significantly, but filing a personal injury lawsuit could help you even more. If someone else’s negligence and recklessness cause your injuries, you have a right to bring a lawsuit against them for non-economic and economic damages.
Additionally, if a third-party caused your injuries, such as a product manufacturer, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and legal damages. Contact Arnona Rose, Attorneys at Law, today to schedule your free initial consultation. We will review your case and advise you of your best legal options to secure the most amount of compensation possible.
Occupations with High Rates of Worker Accidents and Injuries
Workplace injuries are far more common than we realize, and they take on many different forms. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses occurred in 2019. For every 100 full-time workers, 2.8 workplace injuries took place. The following injuries accounted for the most non-fatal workplace injuries, with the manufacturing injury being the most dangerous:
- Manufacturing workers
- Construction workers
- Nursing assistants
- Manual laborers
- Stock and material movers
- Employees who stock products and fill orders
- Maintenance and repair workers
- Janitors and cleaners
- Registered nurses
- Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
Common New Orleans Workplace Injuries
Many workplace accidents are caused by heavy machinery or slip and fall accidents. Workers can also suffer injuries from repetitive strain, especially in manufacturing and assembly line settings. Those who work in a warehouse are more likely to suffer from back and neck strain. Regardless of the type of injury, as long as the injury was caused by the employee performing work-related tasks, the employee is entitled to damages. Common workplace injuries include the following:
- Injuries caused by defective products used at work
- Overextension or repetitive motion injuries
- Severe burns caused by fire or explosions
- Radiation, electrical, chemical, or thermal burns
- Injuries caused by exposure to hazardous substances
- Transportation and vehicle accidents
- Employees becoming stuck underneath or in between machinery
- Slip and fall accidents or falls from great heights
- Shipyard workers
- Oil refinery workers
Why You Need a Lawyer on Your Side
The best thing you can do for your workplace injury case is to hire an experienced New Orleans workplace accident lawyer. A New Orleans workplace accident lawyer will review your case and help you understand all of your options. You do not want to miss out on an opportunity to secure compensation through a lawsuit by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Your lawyer will be able to tell you whether you have a valid personal injury lawsuit, or whether you should simply file the workers’ compensation claim.
Workers who file workers’ compensation claims also need a lawyer advocating for them. Your lawyer can take over the insurance claims process for you so that you can focus on your recovery. Your lawyer will also advocate fiercely for you during settlement negotiations. Insurance companies are notorious for offering a settlement amount that is far too low to cover all of your medical bills and expenses. Your lawyer will also ensure that you do not miss any filing deadlines requirements and lose your right to compensation.
What to Do After a Workplace Accident
Suffering a severe accident at work can be debilitating, and you may not know what to do next. Meanwhile, the bills for your medical treatment are likely piling up, and you are probably worried about how you will pay them when you cannot return to work. Every workplace injury claim is different, and you will need an experienced lawyer to review the facts of your case and provide guidance. Whether you file a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or both, you will need to conduct a thorough investigation. Your lawyer will be able to help you gather information for your claim. You will need to verify your employer’s workers’ compensation coverage, secure photographs, witness statements, and prepare your own recorded statement.
We recommend that you refrain from speaking to any insurance companies until you speak to your own lawyer. Insurance companies, including workers compensation providers, try to find any way possible to stop injured employees from receiving benefits. They may claim that you admitted fault when giving your statement, even if you did so unintentionally. Or they may claim that your injuries were caused by a pre-existing condition, not a workplace accident. We have even seen employers try to prevent a workers’ compensation claim from going through by putting off filing the claim.
Contact Our New Orleans Workplace Accident Lawyers
The legal team at Arnona Rose, Attorneys at Law, can help you navigate the complicated process of seeking compensation for your workplace accident. We understand that you are recovering from a serious injury, and we will take the burden off of you. We have extensive experience representing clients who have become injured in workplace accidents.
We will investigate your case and determine who was at fault for your injuries. If your employer or a third-party’s negligence caused your injuries, we could help you ring a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. Contact our New Orleans law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation and get the process started.