Lafayette Work Injury Lawyer

Lafayette Work Injury Attorney

A workplace injury can leave you facing difficult injuries and a potentially long recovery. Beyond the initial pain of the incident, these types of accidents can affect your ability to work, too. If you’re in an accident, it’s wise to reach out to a Lafayette work injury lawyer from Cox Law Firm for help.

Workplace Accidents in Louisiana

If you’re a part of the workforce, it’s important that you understand your avenues for protecting yourself in the workplace and supporting yourself in the event of a serious injury. The three industries with the highest rate of fatal work injuries in Louisiana are:

• Transportation and utilities
• Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
• Construction

Fortunately, not all workplace injuries result in fatalities. On the downside, non-fatal workplace injuries can also have a severe impact on an employee’s life as well as the lives of their family members. There were a total of 14,400 nonfatal occupational injuries that resulted in days away from work recorded in Louisiana in a single year.

In addition to the costs related to recovering from your injuries, you also have to factor in the money you’re losing due to missing work. The National Safety Council estimates that work injuries recently cost Americans $176.5 billion in a single year.

The majority of workers in Louisiana’s labor force can access workers’ compensation benefits through their employer if they are injured on the job. That said, workers in certain industries may have to navigate different laws and regulations when seeking compensation for their injuries.

For example, maritime employees are covered by different federal regulations rather than by state workers’ compensation plans. There are also exceptions for those who work in certain occupations.

A Lafayette work injury lawyer can help evaluate your situation and secure the compensation you’re rightfully owed, regardless of where you work or how you were injured. They can also review your situation to determine other avenues for compensation.

Filing a Work Injury Claim in Lafayette

If you’re covered by workers’ compensation through your job, it’s considered an exclusive remedy. This means that you receive payment and support through your coverage and are not allowed to pursue further legal action against your employer. That said, you can still turn to a Lafayette work injury attorney if you’re having issues accessing your benefits or if any other challenge arises along the way.

Additionally, it’s possible for more than one party to be at fault in a workplace accident. You may also have grounds to file a third-party claim to recover damages for your losses. Our team has experience navigating third-party work-injury claims to recover compensation from all sources of your losses.

A Lafayette Work Injury Lawyer That Is Ready to Work for You

When you choose Cox Law Firm to represent you in a work accident case, you can rest assured you’re working with a local team that understands Louisiana work injury laws. We bring over 135 years of combined experience to the table, including extensive litigation experience. If negotiations fail, we don’t hesitate to advocate for you in the courtroom.

Our skilled attorneys have a passionate sense of civic duty, and we’ve helped countless people throughout Southwest Louisiana recover full compensation.

FAQs

Do All Louisiana Employees Have Workers’ Compensation Coverage?

All Louisiana employees do not have workers’ compensation coverage. Louisiana law requires most employers to provide workers’ comp benefits for their full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees. Workers in certain industries are covered under different laws and regulations.

For example, offshore employees are typically covered by the Jones Act, a federal statute. Other common exceptions include domestic workers, independent contractors, and federal employees.

What Do I Do if My Employer Is Refusing to Allow Me to Access My Benefits in Lafayette?

If your employer is refusing to allow you to access your benefits in Lafayette, hire a work injury lawyer right away. Your attorney can evaluate the situation and help you form a strategy for securing the compensation you’re owed.

Workers’ comp is considered an exclusive remedy, which prohibits employees from pursuing additional legal action against their employer. However, in situations where the employer is uncooperative, you may have new avenues available to you.

Who Can I Hold Liable in a Lafayette Work Injury Case?

Who you can hold liable in a Lafayette work injury case ultimately depends on the details of the accident, such as where it happened and how you sustained your injuries. It’s possible for more than one party to be held liable in a work injury claim.

Beyond your employer, potential at-fault parties to file a Lafayette work injury claim against include: 

• Contractors and subcontractors
• Maintenance companies
• Manufacturers and distributors
• Owners
• Shareholders
• Visitors on the premises

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Work Injury Claim in Lafayette?

The time it takes to settle a work injury claim in Lafayette can vary from case to case. If it’s a simple matter of accessing your workers’ compensation benefits, you can expect to move through the process rather quickly, barring unforeseen challenges.

Other cases may involve more steps if you’re planning to file a third-party claim. Settling matters out of court is typically the fastest way to handle them, but it can still be a process at times.

Hire a Work Injury Lawyer in Lafayette to Learn How to Secure a Fair Settlement

Navigating a work injury claim can be a lot to take on by yourself, especially as you’re trying to recover from your injuries. Instead of trying to do everything alone, reach out to a local Lafayette workers’ compensation lawyer from Cox Law Firm.

Whether it’s through your workers’ comp or a legal claim, you can count on us to help you recover the appropriate compensation for your losses.

If you’re ready to talk to a lawyer about your case, come and see us in Lake Charles. Our office is located downtown on Broad Street in the historic Wachsen-Williams House. Give us a call to set up a consultation with a member of our team today.