On the job injuries happen just about every day in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) reported nearly 1.2 million non fatal and nearly 5,000 fatal accidents for 2020. While these numbers are part of a larger trend toward safe practices and are generally moving in the right direction, a worker died every 111 minutes from a work-related injury in 2020. Manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and construction jobs topped the list of the most injury prone industries, and those are very popular jobs in Louisiana.
I’ve Been Injured At Work, What Next?
If you have experienced an on the job injury, it’s very important to understand the position you are putting yourself in if you decide not to report that injury. Many people are concerned that they will be retaliated against by their employers, so they hide injuries and fail to report them within the framework of limitations prescribed by the law. The Louisiana Workforce Commission has an Employee Bill of Rights posted on their website (laworks.net) which lists this information, as well as other helpful information about on the job injuries.
The good news is that you do not have to make this difficult decision on your own. An experienced Workers Compensation attorney can sit down with you and explain to you all of your options and your rights as a worker. Worker’s Compensation insurance is separate from your employer’s personal liability insurance, and it is required that your employer carry this second layer of insurance. To put it plainly, Worker’s Compensation must be paid for by your employer no matter how few or how many claims their employees make, so it is there for a purpose, and you have a right to access its benefits in the event of an on the job injury.
At The Law Office of Stephen Gaubert, over 85% of our time is spent solely on Workers Compensation cases. While some attorneys claim to provide this service, it is the lifeblood of our law firm. Stephen Gaubert recently completed his 1000th Worker’s Comp Case since he began practice in 2004, and he continues to fight for employees all year long. It costs absolutely nothing to come to our office, where you will speak directly with Stephen and his paralegal about your case. He will take the time to explain to you how the legal process will work for you.
Remember, filing a timely claim for one benefit does not stop the clock from running on any other type of benefit, so these cases do get complicated quickly. A knee injury that is not reported in a timely manner may turn into arthritis or some other debilitating condition down the road, so if you are wondering when you need to get a case together, the time is now. Call us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.
