Injured on the Job in Louisiana But You Do Not Know What to Do Next? Find Out the First Three Steps You Can Take to Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits in the Bayou State
There is no doubt that if you are like most injured workers in Louisiana, a serious workplace injury can upend your entire life. Indeed, if you have been injured while working in Louisiana, you may feel like you are out of luck and out of options, and you may be uncertain about what to do next. The good news is that most injured workers in Louisiana are entitled to Louisiana workers’ compensation benefits to help keep them on their feet while they recover from their workplace injuries. The truth is that workplace injuries can happen in an instant and leave you facing medical bills, lost wages, and questions about how to support yourself while you recover. Louisiana workers’ compensation laws provide workers’ compensation benefits for employees hurt on the job, but the process can be confusing. Here we discuss three things that you can do after you are injured to get workers’ compensation benefits in Louisiana.
Step 1: Reporting the Injury
The first step after a workplace injury is to report your injury to your employer, but it is important to do this with the guidance of a lawyer. Louisiana law requires you to give notice of your injury within a certain amount of time, and missing this deadline can prevent you from getting benefits. An experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file your workplace accident report properly and make sure your statement accurately describes what happened, when, and how. The truth is that many injured workers make small mistakes when initially reporting a workplace injury, such as leaving out details or downplaying their pain, and those errors can later be used to deny or reduce benefits. An experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer can ensure your report is clear and complete, and that it creates a strong record from the very beginning of your claim.
Step 2: Getting Medical Help ASAP
The second step that you should take after a serious workplace accident leaves you injured in Louisiana is to get medical care right away. You should always see a doctor immediately after a workplace injury, even if you think your injury is not serious. The reality is that hidden injuries can worsen over time, and early documentation is vital to getting workers’ compensation benefits due to you.
Step 3: Gathering Documentation
The third step is to gather documentation and begin protecting your claim for benefits, and this is another area where having an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer on your side is essential. An experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer can help you collect the right evidence (which may include accident reports, witness statements, medical records, pay stubs, and any correspondence with your employer or insurance company). They can also make sure the insurance company meets its legal obligations, such as paying for medical treatment, temporary disability benefits, or vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to work right away.
Getting in Touch with an Experienced Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Of course, the best initial step that any injured worker in Louisiana should take is to get in touch with an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer. An experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyer can guide you through the complex workers’ compensation process (and all the deadlines) and can fight for you to get benefits due to you. If you are in the Louisiana area and you need legal help, contact the experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak with a lawyer now.
