Under Louisiana law, workers who suffer injuries in the workplace while performing their job duties have the right to medical care—regardless of whether they have been temporarily or permanently injured. Injuries covered by workers’ compensation include a specific, one-time accident or occupational injuries caused by repetitive motions or repeated exposure to harmful conditions. Workers’ compensation…
Workers’ compensation is an insurance program employers are required to have that provides financial assistance to employees who sustain work-related injuries. If you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you will receive pay for work you have not been able to perform, as well as for any medical bills incurred during this time; however, you typically…
Your employer cannot fire you for making a workers’ compensation claim; however, they may fire you while you have a pending claim as long as they can show that there were reasons for firing you that were unrelated to your workers’ compensation claim. Most employees in Louisiana are considered to be at-will employees, meaning you…
A broken bone is an example of a one-time injury. A job-related illness, a.k.a an occupational disease, is a “disease or illness which is due to causes and conditions characteristic of and peculiar to the particular trade, occupation, process or employment in which the employee is exposed to such disease.” (Think carpal tunnel syndrome.) In…
Insurance companies may look to your social media account for any post that could cast doubt on your personal injury claim in an effort to settle for the least amount of money as quickly as possible. If an insurance company can find these posts, they do not have to get your permission to view them…
You are protected against discrimination and harassment through the entire employment process, from hiring to firing. OSHA demands that employers in every state keep their workplaces safe and free of known hazards. Employers are required to pay their employees the highest applicable minimum wage, whether it is set by federal, state or local law. There…
Although your past crime is completely unrelated to your personal injury claim, most people will view a criminal record negatively. Typically, the less serious the crime, and the longer the time that has passed, the less impact it will have on your personal injury case. The best thing to do is to tell the truth…
Although your employer or insurance provider may recommend a treating physician for your workers’ compensation case, you have the right to and should choose your own doctor. Always check that the doctor you choose is willing to treat work-related injuries. Choose a physician that specializes in treating your type of injuries and that you feel…
Workplace injuries have the potential to occur in any industry, regardless of whether physically intensive tasks are involved in your work duties or not. OSHA states that work-related musculoskeletal problems have become the leading cause of pain, suffering and disability in American workplaces. Ergonomics are defined as as, “The science of fitting workplace conditions and…
Even in Louisiana the temperatures can drop to near freezing levels, which can present a number of hazards while you’re working in the cold. Each person’s body reacts differently to difficult weather conditions, but some of the most common early symptoms of an adverse reaction to cold weather are fatigue, shivering, slurred speech and bluish…
