What Medical Treatment Does Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Cover in New Orleans?

If you are injured at work in New Orleans, getting the medical care you need may be one of your first concerns. You may need to see a doctor, undergo testing, take prescription medication, or receive ongoing treatment while you recover. This can quickly lead to questions about who will pay for your care.

Fortunately, Louisiana workers’ compensation may cover medical treatment related to a qualifying workplace injury. Under Louisiana law, an employer generally must provide an injured worker with necessary medical care related to the workplace injury.

However, questions and disagreements can sometimes arise over what treatment is necessary or whether particular medical care is related to the workplace accident. Here we discuss some of the medical expenses that may be covered by New Orleans workers’ compensation and what you can do if you have problems getting the care you need.

Does Workers’ Compensation Pay for Doctor and Hospital Care in New Orleans?

Louisiana workers’ compensation can cover a broad range of necessary medical care for a workplace injury. Depending on your injuries, this may include medical and surgical treatment, hospital care and other medical services. For example, a New Orleans worker who suffers a serious injury on the job may need emergency treatment followed by additional appointments or other care while recovering.

The important point is that injured New Orleans workers should not assume they will have to pay for necessary treatment related to a covered workplace injury on their own.

What About Prescription Drugs and Medical Supplies?

An injured New Orleans worker may need prescription medication or medical supplies during the recovery process. Louisiana workers’ compensation law also provides for necessary drugs and supplies. Depending on the injury, these expenses can become an important part of a worker’s medical care.

Louisiana law also addresses certain prosthetic devices. If a qualifying prosthetic device is damaged in a workplace accident, workers’ compensation may cover its repair or replacement even when the worker does not suffer an additional physical injury.

Can Workers’ Compensation Cover Travel for Medical Care?

An injured New Orleans worker may also need to travel to doctors, specialists, therapy appointments, or other medical providers.

Louisiana law provides for reimbursement of necessary mileage when an injured worker travels to obtain covered medical services, medicines, and certain other items.

Keeping records of your medical appointments and related travel can therefore be important while you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

What If You Have Trouble Getting Medical Treatment?

Disagreements can arise about medical care in many workers’ compensation cases. An employer or workers’ compensation insurer may question whether particular treatment is necessary or whether it is related to the workplace injury.

If you are having difficulty getting medical treatment approved or paid for, it is best to reach out to an experienced New Orleans workers’ compensation lawyer. A New Orleans workers’ compensation lawyer can review your claim, explain your rights under Louisiana law, and determine what next steps to take to obtain important workers’ compensation benefits in your case.

New Orleans Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Medical treatment can be an important part of recovering from a serious workplace injury. Understanding what New Orleans workers’ compensation may cover can help you make informed decisions while you focus on your recovery.

The experienced New Orleans workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC fight for injured workers in New Orleans. If you were injured at work and need legal help, contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today.