Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ Compensation Attorney in New Orleans

Committed to Helping You Obtain the Benefits You Deserve

If you have suffered an injury at the workplace in Louisiana, state workers’ compensation laws may entitle you to certain benefits to cover medical expenses, provide compensation while you recover from your work injury, vocational rehabilitation, permanent partial disability benefits, or total disability benefits. Unfortunately, most people are not familiar with the process, experience issues with the process, and do not obtain the benefits they need to make a successful recovery from injury, which is why is it imperative to obtain legal representation from an experienced lawyer.

At The Chopin Law Firm LLC, we are focused on helping injured workers recover the benefits they deserve. With more than five decades of legal experience, our New Orleans workers’ compensation lawyers can guide you through the intricacies of the legal process, all while protecting your rights and best interests.

Common Workplace Injuries

Getting injured at work is something nobody ever wants to happen, however, it occurs much more often than most know. While it isn’t always possible to prevent workplace injuries, we want to give you some information about the most commonly seen injuries in the workplace in hopes of keeping them from happening to you.

Slips, Trips & Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common injuries in the workplace. These types of accidents occur when there is something on the floor, such as:

• A spill that wasn’t cleaned up
• Oil/grease
• Wet floors with no signage
• Objects in the walkway

When there are unsafe walking conditions at work, it is very simple for someone to fall and seriously injure themselves. Slip and fall accidents have the ability to cause serious injuries, including:

• Broken bones
• Sprains
• Fractures
• In severe cases, brain injury

Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) occur when you are asked to do the same “repetitive” actions throughout your day. For example, someone who is an office worker may be asked to work their whole 8-hour shift sitting in front of the computer. By using the same movement day in and day out, the office worker may suffer from repetitive stress injuries. In this case, some of the injuries may include:

• Carpal tunnel
• Lower back injuries/strains
• Shoulder strains/tears

RSIs are rapidly becoming one of the most common workplace injuries due to the fact that they can impact individuals in many different job types.

Vehicle Accidents

Where there is heavy machinery, there is also the chance that there will be severe accidents. Some of the accidents include:

• Being struck by a vehicle
• Falling out of a vehicle
• Getting crushed by a vehicle
• Being struck by objects falling from a vehicle

While vehicular accidents are most prominent in the agricultural industry, this is also a large concern for those working in factories or construction sites. If there is large machinery where you work, you should be sure to take extra caution to ensure your safety.

Falling from High Places

Injuries caused by falling from high areas are typically a large concern for those who must be in those areas for work. Individuals who work in manual labor positions like roofers, linemen, factory workers, and many other professions have the risk of falling from high places. Falling from locations such as:

• Roofs
• Ladders
• Stairways
• Cranes
• Platforms

Falling from heights may happen for a number of different reasons:

• Faulty equipment
• Improper training
• Losing footing
• Slippery surfaces

Overexertion

Overexertion is another workplace injury that is most commonly seen in manual labor based jobs. Overexertion injuries are caused when an individual does just that—overexerts themselves. This may include:

• Improperly lifting objects
• Lifting heavy objects alone
• Moving too quickly to meet deadlines
• Working through breaks

It is important to understand your rights to your safety as an employee. Make sure to take breaks regularly and ensure you are lifting objects with proper technique.

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer

Upon suffering a work-related injury or illness, you may be wondering if it is a good idea to hire a workers’ compensation attorney. When any complexity arises in your case, it is in your best interest to get legal assistance.

The following are common examples of situations in which legal intervention is necessary:

• You suffered a serious injury
• Your claim was denied
• Your employer’s settlement offer doesn’t adequately cover all your medical bills or lost wages
• Your medical condition prevents you from returning to your previous job position, limit your work abilities, or keep you from working at all
• Your employer retaliates against you for filing for worker’s compensation
• Your injury was caused by a third party’s negligence or due to employer misconduct

Our New Orleans workers’ comp lawyer will ensure that you file all of the required forms and meet the deadlines. We can collect crucial evidence to support your case, negotiate with your employer’s insurance company, and help you determine the most favorable settlement amount possible. If you can’t agree on a reasonable settlement, we can fight for you at trial.

Request a Free Consultation Now!

In most cases, you must notify your employer of your injury within 30 days or else you can be denied from receiving benefits. Both physical and mental injuries stemming from either accidents or occupational diseases are covered. Do not hesitate to let us help you achieve your goals.