Guide to Workplace Compensation

There are a lot of people across New Orleans that have been entitled to accident compensation, but they have never made a claim. One of the main reasons for this is because they don’t realize that they have a chance of getting compensation. This is because personal injury is such a general term. However, what matters is that the accident was not your fault. The type of injury you have sustained, and how it happened, do not play the key role — establishing liability does.

With that said, here is a mere handful of some of the most common accidents in the workplace that require hiring a workers comp attorney in New Orleans:

• Asbestos-related illnesses
• Falls from height
• Construction accidents
• Industrial hearing loss
• Repetitive strain injury
• Vibration white finger
• Injuries from poor health and safety
• Industrial diseases

This should give you a good indication of the sheer diversity of claims that are made nowadays.
If you are thinking about claiming after an accident at work, read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding work accident claims.

Will my employer fire me for claiming?

A lot of people worry about the repercussions of launching a workplace accident claim. However, it is vital to recognize that if your employer is at fault, you deserve compensation, and this is something they will acknowledge too. Moreover, they will have insurance in place to cover the cost.

How long do I have to make a claim?

You are allowed up to three years from the date of the accident to claim with a worker’s compensation attorney in New Orleans, and it is vital to note that court proceedings must be issued within this time frame as well. However, there are a lot of cases, especially in regards to workplace accidents, where injuries occur over time. Take hearing loss as a prime example — you are most likely going to be claiming against an ex-employee. In these circumstances, you cannot pinpoint an accident date, and so you will have three years from the date of your diagnosis instead. 

Will I have to go to court?

We cannot say one hundred percent that you will or will not have to go to court. Nevertheless, it is extremely unlikely. A low percentage of these claims end up in the courtroom, and this is because it is in the interest of both parties to get everything wrapped up as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Do I need to tell my employer about the accident?

Yes — it is vital to inform your employer of what has occurred as quickly as possible. This is because they will need to record it in their accident book, something which they are required to have by law.

How much compensation will I receive?

Without knowing the details of your case, it's tough to say. However, the amount you receive depends on the severity of your injuries and the impact they are going to have on your life. You will also receive compensation for financial losses, i.e., the money you have had to spend on travel costs, treatment expenses, and such like.