Many of the jobs available in Louisiana and New Orleans are in hazardous worksites. Accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and affect the rest of your life. If you have been hurt on the job, a New Orleans work accident lawyer can help you consider your options. You could recover losses through a workers’ compensation claim, a claim under the Jones Act, or a civil claim. It’s important to understand your options for financial recovery and how to protect your rights.
Take Advantage of Your Rights as an Employee: 504-586-3535
If you sustained injuries on the job, you likely expect your employer to treat you fairly, offering you the compensation that you deserve. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. In many work injury cases, employees are required to retain the representation of an attorney in order to recover fair compensation. At Hammond Law Firm, LLC, we offer skilled representation to injured victims in Jefferson Parish and the surrounding areas. We will thoroughly review your case and build a formidable claim on your behalf. We will serve as your powerful voice, offering you tenacious advocacy and compassionate support every step of the way. While you focus on your health, we will focus on maximizing your compensation.
Employees Have Rights. Do You Know Yours? Call 504-586-3535 to Schedule a Free Consultation.
When you are injured at work or have suffered a developmental injury or illness because of your job duties, you can recover compensation through a workers’ compensation claim. These claims have certain limitations. Generally, you are only able to recover the cost of your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. The claim can also cover vocational rehabilitation or disability income if you are permanently unable to work.
Unlike a personal injury claim, a workers’ compensation claim does not recover noneconomic losses like pain and suffering. Only in rare cases can injured employees recover damages through a civil claim.
Usually, you cannot sue your employer for a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation insurance exists to prevent this, benefiting employees by enabling them to recover partial damages without needing to prove fault for their injuries and benefiting employers by protecting them from personal liability. Because of this, injured employees typically can’t file civil claims.
However, there are rare cases where an employer’s misconduct means that they can be held liable, such as if they intentionally caused your injury. Additionally, federal protections for maritime employees can change the requirements for filing against your employer.
If you are injured in the workplace and the injury was caused by a third party, not an employer or coworker, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. Your attorney can review your case to determine your options.
An estimated one-fifth of all Louisiana jobs are in the maritime industry or related to it. When you are injured as a maritime employee, you may have unique methods of pursuing compensation available to you.
Under maritime laws like the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, the General Maritime Law, and the Death on the High Seas Act, injured employees may be able to recover additional compensation that is not typically available under workers’ compensation claims.
Maritime employees may include those employed on offshore platforms and rigs, ports, cargo ships, and other vessels and harbor locations. Maritime work is often done on very hazardous worksites. Employees can be injured from falls, falling objects, malfunctioning machinery, electrical accidents, and even explosions.
When employees are injured, they can recover compensation. If the injuries are due to carelessness by their employers, they can often pursue more compensation. Hire a skilled work injury attorney to help you get the financial recovery you are owed.
You deserve compensation when you are hurt on the job. At Hammond Law Firm, LLC, we have more than 40 years of combined experience, and we use that knowledge to fight for you and your interests. Whether you were hurt because of the negligence of someone else or your worksite was exceptionally unsafe, our team can help you. Contact us today.