The Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Process: 5 Reasons Why Your Workers’ Compensation Was Denied and What You Can Do About It
Most Louisiana workers are aware that if they are injured on the job and are disabled from work, they may be entitled to Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits while they heal from their injuries and prepare to return to work. Indeed, under Louisiana workers’ compensation laws, which are laws promulgated by the state to help injured workers financially while they are unable to work, most injured workers in Louisiana are entitled to medical expense reimbursement, wage replacement compensation, disability compensation, and rehabilitation services, if their workplace injury disables them from working their regular job. However, many injured workers in Louisiana may be dismayed when they receive a letter of denial from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, and may not understand why they were denied Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits. To help injured workers in Louisiana better understand why they may have been denied workers’ compensation benefits, we explain 5 reasons why your Louisiana workers’ compensation claim may have been denied.
Workers’ Compensation Claim Denials: Why Was my Claim Denied?
There are a number of reasons why an injured worker in Louisiana may have their claim denied by the Louisiana Workforce Commission upon application. First, although Louisiana is a “no-fault” workers’ compensation state, if you were intoxicated on the job when the workplace injury occurred, you may receive a denial letter. Under Louisiana workers’ compensation laws, workers who are intoxicated when a workplace accident occurs may be denied benefits. Secondly, and similarly, if you were the instigator of the workplace accident, or it was caused by roughhousing or other conduct that led to the injury, you may be denied Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits. A third common reason for denying an injured workers’ application for Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits is that there is not enough evidence to conclude that the injury was caused by, specifically, a work accident. In order to collect workers’ compensation benefits, an injury must be work-related. In addition, if your employer disputes your workers’ compensation claim, it may be denied. Finally, the fifth reason that your workers’ compensation claim may be initially denied in Louisiana is that the injury was not reported timely. Accordingly, it is extremely important to observe the time limitations applicable to a workers’ compensation claim under Louisiana workers’ compensation laws.
Legal Help if Your Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Claim is Denied
If your Louisiana workers’ compensation claim was denied, it is important to first speak with an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible about your rights, options, and next steps. The experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC, help Louisiana workers who were denied workers’ compensation benefits get benefits due to them for their workplace injuries. The experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC, offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help fight for you. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC, today and speak to a lawyer about your workers’ compensation case for free.
