What about Our Neighbors? What Workers’ Compensation Exemptions Look Like in Louisiana’s Neighbor States

One of the major misconceptions that many people hold about workers’ compensation in Louisiana and throughout the United States is that it is a unified, national program, similar to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, unlike SSI and SSDI, which are federal programs overseen by the Social Security Administration, workers’ compensation programs are state programs that are established and overseen by state laws and state agencies or administrations. In Louisiana, for example, the law that governs workers’ compensation claims is called the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Law, and the state agency that oversees workers’ compensation claims in Louisiana is the Workers’ Compensation division of the Louisiana Department of Labor’s Workforce Commission.

Under Louisiana workers’ compensation laws, most Louisiana workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when they are injured and unable to work their regular jobs. However, there are some exceptions. Private home workers, employees of unincorporated farms, musicians and other performers under contract are exempt from Louisiana workers’ compensation laws. But how do Louisiana’s neighbor states stack up when it comes to workers’ compensation exemptions? Here we take a closer look at neighboring states’ workers’ compensation laws and exemptions.

Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Exemptions

Mississippi, Louisiana’s neighboring state to the east, runs its state workers’ compensation program through the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission and the state law that governs workers’ compensation in Mississippi is Title 71 Chapter 3 of the Mississippi Code, entitled “Workers’ Compensation”. Under Mississippi workers’ compensation laws, domestic and farm laborers, independent contractors, and employees of non-profit religious organizations are typically exempt from workers’ compensation benefits.

Texas and Workers’ Compensation Exemptions

The Texas state law that governs workers’ compensation in the state is called the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act. Domestic workers, federal workers, and farm or ranch employees are typically exempt from receiving workers’ compensation benefits under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act.

Arkansas and Workers’ Compensation Exemptions

The Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission handles workers’ compensation claims under the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Law. In Arkansas, similar to Louisiana’s other neighboring states, farm workers or laborers, domestic workers, federal workers, and employees of non-profit religious or charitable groups are typically exempt from receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

Help for Injured Workers in Louisiana

In addition to the above, most states also have laws that exempt certain small businesses with very few employees from being required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation exemptions can be confusing, and it is best to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer about your rights and options if you have been injured on the job and cannot work.

If you were injured on the job in Louisiana and you are interested in seeking workers’ compensation benefits in Louisiana, contact the experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe. The experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help you get workers’ compensation benefits due. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe and speak to an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer about your case for free.

Source:

legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=814789