Baton Rouge Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Navigating the Louisiana workers’ compensation system on your own can be intimidating and stressful. While workers’ compensation laws are designed to protect workers and provide assistance in the event of a work-related injury, the truth is that insurance companies are looking for any option to deny or reduce the amount of your benefits. Despite what they tell you, workers’ compensation insurance companies are not on your side. That is why you need to hire a Baton Rouge workers’ compensation lawyer who can help.
At Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe, PLLC, we only handle workers’ compensation claims in Louisiana and Mississippi. Most other firms represent clients for all types of personal injury claims and may only handle a workers’ compensation claim here and there. With our firm, you benefit from lawyers who work exclusively in the practice area of workers’ compensation. We know the tactics that insurance companies use to reduce or deny benefits. Our goal is to protect your rights and help you get the benefits you are entitled to under Louisiana law.
Baton Rouge Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to compensate employees who are injured at work. Employers’ workers’ compensation insurance should compensate workers for medical bills and lost wages. Unfortunately, many victims of workplace accidents struggle to receive the money they deserve because of underpaid or denied claims. Employees often need legal assistance to ensure they receive their full benefits.
Workers’ compensation is a complicated area of the law, and it can be frustrating to navigate the nuances of receiving full compensation for injuries. Many Baton Rouge law firms handle workers’ compensation cases, but these firms typically only specialize in personal injury cases. You need expert attorneys who specialize in workers’ compensation so that you receive the maximum benefits possible. Here at Lunsford, Baskin, & Priebe, PLLC, we offer our clients expert knowledge and support in workers’ compensation cases. We don’t JUST handle workers’ compensation cases — we specialize in them. The Baton Rouge workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford, Baskin, & Priebe will help you receive compensation for all necessary medical expenses and lost wages so that you can make a speedy recovery.
Workers’ Compensation Injuries We Handle
Many different types of injuries can occur while you’re at work. A few common injuries that our firm handles include:
Fractures
Foot and ankle fractures are common in labor-intensive jobs, such as manufacturing, warehouse work, and construction. Fractures often involve multiple bones being broken because the feet and ankles are made up of many bones. When you break several small bones in your foot or ankle, you decrease the likelihood of being able to bear weight on your feet. Fractures often require surgery, and you may be out of work for an extended period. If your fracture doesn’t require surgery, you’ll likely still have to keep weight off of your foot for six weeks.
First Responders
First responders including firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians have a high likelihood of experiencing workplace injuries from accidents, deliberate harm, and illnesses developed while on the job. First responders put their lives at risk to protect others, but they often don’t receive the proper compensation they deserve for injuries. In addition to being at risk for sudden injuries, they also face illnesses, such as hypertension, post-traumatic stress disorder, bloodborne pathogens, hearing loss, and cancer.
Back, Neck, & Spine Injuries
Back, neck, and spine injuries can occur across numerous industries from sudden injuries, such as a slip and fall, or from prolonged sitting or repetitive movements, such as repeatedly lifting heavy objects. Common types of back injuries include cervical disc herniation, pinched nerves, vertebral fractures, lower back strain, and muscle and ligament inflammation.
Neck and spine injuries are often very serious and can be fatal. Spinal nerves that are severed or bruised can lead to paralysis. Failing to receive immediate medical treatment for a neck or spine injury can increase the likelihood of suffering paralysis.
Shoulder and Knee Injuries
Shoulder and knee injuries are very common with both sudden injuries and repetitive movements. Muscle tears and strains are common in jobs that require manual labor. Areas that are frequently affected by tears include the rotator cuffs, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), and the meniscus. Shoulder and knee tears often require surgery and may even require replacement joints. Additionally, victims of workplace shoulder and knee injuries often require physical or occupational therapy as well as time away from work.
Baton Rouge Workers’ Compensation Claims Process
Employers often inform employees that filing a workers’ compensation claim is a seamless process. Unfortunately, receiving the full benefits you deserve for an injury can actually be challenging. Both employers and workers’ compensation insurance companies often try to underpay or outright deny claims. Additionally, they may try to convince you to receive medical treatment from a workers’ compensation doctor who tries to underplay the severity of your injury.
In order to ensure that you receive the full benefits you deserve, you need workers’ compensation legal experts at your side every step of the way. You shouldn’t have to worry about fighting for your claim alone—contact Lunsford, Baskin, and Priebe, PLLC for workers’ compensation support you can count on. We’ll advise and represent you so that you receive the maximum amount of benefits as soon as possible.
How Do I Know If I Have a Case?
If you’re unsure whether or not you have a case, we encourage you to look over the rest of this page as well as other workers’ compensation resources on our website. We also recommend you contact our New Orleans office at 504-788-2994 or request a free case evaluation here. We can answer your questions regarding your case so that you know your legal options moving forward.
In the event that you decide to hire a workers’ compensation attorney, they’ll meet with you or communicate with you remotely to collect information regarding your claim. They will then assist you with your workers’ compensation claim by helping you with paperwork and presenting evidence of your workplace injury.
What Kind of Compensation Could I Recover?
In Louisiana, you can expect to recover compensation for relevant medical expenses and lost wages. Medical expenses may include:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Emergency room bills
- Nursing services
- Medical supplies
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Rehabilitation services
- Prescriptions
When it comes to lost wages, you may qualify for different types of temporary and permanent wage replacement benefits depending on your injury’s severity and whether you can fully recover. These include:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Covers ⅔ of your weekly wages before you were injured. These benefits are paid if you’re out of work and you’re expected to recover.
- Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB): These benefits are designed for when you return to work but can’t earn the same amount as you were before experiencing your injury.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): You receive these benefits after reaching your maximum medical improvement, meaning that you’re not expected to recover further. If you still have partial limitations due to your workplace injury but are not totally disabled, you can qualify for PPD.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): These benefits are paid out to those who aren’t expected to ever return to work due to their injury. They can receive ⅔ of their pre-injury earnings.
- Catastrophic Injury Benefits: Some workers may qualify for receiving a lump sum of $50,000 for certain types of catastrophic injuries, including:
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Amputation of feet, legs, hands, or arms
- Losing your eyes
- Third-degree burns on over 40% of your body
Dedicated, Professional Legal Help With Baton Rouge Workers’ Compensation Matters.
When you hire our Baton Rouge workers’ compensation lawyers, you can count on them to handle your case and fight for your claim. You need attorneys who are experts in workers’ compensation law and will stand up to insurance companies so that you receive the full benefits you’re entitled to. Here at Lunsford, Baskin, & Priebe, PLLC, we will conduct an investigation and gather evidence so that we prove the legitimacy of your workers’ compensation claim. We’ll also take care of all of the paperwork so all you need to worry about is physically and emotionally recovering from your workplace injury. Call our New Orleans office at 504-788-2994 to schedule a free case evaluation.
