Metairie Work Injury Lawyer
Getting hurt on the job is a common experience shared by many workers. Even at a workplace that emphasizes safety, accidents will still happen from time to time. But if you are the injured worker facing a potential mountain of medical bills, you may have questions about your legal options for seeking compensation.
A qualified Metairie work injury lawyer can help provide you with some answers. Palazzo Law Firm represents workers who have suffered an on-the-job injury and need to file a worker’s compensation claim or take direct legal action against the negligent party who caused the accident in the first place. At Palazzo Law Firm, our team can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and if necessary present your case for damages to a court.
Does Worker’s Compensation Cover Every Work Injury?
In most cases, when you suffer a work-related injury you will be covered by worker’s compensation. All Louisiana employers are required to carry worker’s compensation insurance (or the equivalent self-insurance) to cover their employees. Worker’s compensation provides no-fault benefits in the event of workplace injuries. In other words, you do not have to prove your employer’s negligence caused or contributed to your injury in any way. But in exchange for receiving worker’s compensation benefits, you do not have the right to sue your employer if it was negligent.
An employer or its insurance company may still try to deny a worker’s compensation claim for a number of reasons. That is why it is important to work with a lawyer through the claim process. At the end of the day, your lawyer only works for you, not the employer or its insurer.
It is also important to note that even with worker’s compensation, it is possible in certain cases to sue an employer for intentional torts, i.e., work injuries that were the result of a deliberate act. Worker’s compensation also does not apply to any third parties whose negligence may have caused your injury. For example, if you are hit by a drunk driver while making a delivery for your employer, you could still sue the drunk driver for damages.
There are also certain employees whose rights are governed by different laws. In particular, people who work for the federal government are covered by the Federal Employees Compensation Act, as opposed to Louisiana’s worker’s compensation system. And most people who work in the maritime industry are covered by a separate federal statute, the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act.
Contact The Palazzo Law Firm Today
As you can see, a work injury can lead to a number of complex legal issues that need to be sorted out before you actually receive any compensation. Let our skilled Metairie work injury lawyer guide you through this process so you can focus on getting better. If you have been injured on the job and need to speak with an attorney as soon as possible, contact Palazzo Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.
