Louisiana attorney

steve wanko

Steve Wanko, a native of New Orleans, began his legal career defending insurance companies and large businesses.

In 2004, he founded the Wanko Law Firm, LLC. From day one, his firm concentrated on providing representation to Louisiana workers’ compensation claimants.

Mr. Wanko is also a skilled advocate who successfully tried over 30 judge and jury trials and handled complex appeals.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from LSU, an MBA from University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas and graduated from Tulane Law School.

He has appeared in front of all the Federal, District and Appellate Courts in Louisiana, including the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Mr. Wanko is the current president of the Louisiana Workers’ Advocates, a member of Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group, a national organization of workers’ compensation attorneys, and a member of Louisiana Association of Justice.

Representative cases that Mr. Wanko has handled for his clients:

Johnson v. Ace Am. Ins. Co., (La. App. 4 Cir., 2015)

Malancon v. Ace Transp., LLC (La. App. 1 Cir., 2014)

Paul v. Jefferson Parish Pub. Sch. Sys. (La. App. 5 Cir., 2013)

Dupre v. Surbo Tubular Servs., Inc., 113 So.3d 1090 (La. App., 2013)

Nitcher v. Northshore Reg’l Med. Ctr., 92 So.3d 1001 (La. App., 2012)

Redmann v. Bridgefield Cas. Ins. Co. , 88 So.3d 1087

(La. App., 2012) Flach v. Diebold, Inc., 99 So.3d 688 (La. App., 2012)

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. v. Dir. Office of Worker’s Comp. Programs, 604 F.3d 864 (5th. Cir., 2010)

Quick v. Terrebonne Gen. Med. Ctr., 35 So.3d 287 (La. App. 1 Cir., 2010)

Hickerson v. Shaw Services, LLC, 989 So.2d 766 (La. App., 2008)

Marquez v. Jack Ussery Const., 964 So.2d 1045 (La. App., 2007)

Parr v. U.S. Exp. Enterprises, Inc., 946 So.2d 178 (La. App., 2006)

Taylor v. Tommie’s Gaming, 902 So.2d 380 (La., 2005)

Shaffer v. Brand Scaffold Builders, Inc., No. 2003 CA 0288 (La. App. 12/31/2003), 868 So.2d 149 (La. App., 2003)

Hall v. J.E. Merit Constructors, Inc., 2002 CA 2648 (La. App. 11/7/2003), 861 So.2d 224 (La. App., 2003)

Western Sizzlin Steakhouse v. McDuffie., 844 So.2d 355 (La. App., 2003)

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How Long Can You Receive Temporary Total Disability Benefits in Louisiana?

October 24, 2025

Workers' Compensation Medical Benefits

When a workplace injury keeps you from doing your job, the bills do not stop coming. Fortunately, the Louisiana workers’ compensation system provides temporary total disability (TTD) benefits to replace a portion of your lost income while you recover. These benefits are a financial lifeline for injured workers who cannot return to work right away. […]

What Is a Permanent Disability Rating and How Does It Affect Compensation?

October 9, 2025

Workers' Compensation Permanent Disability

Suffering a serious work injury can leave you with long-term or even permanent limitations that make it difficult, or impossible, to return to your previous job. In Louisiana, when an employee reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI), the workers’ compensation system uses a permanent disability rating to determine the extent of your impairment and how much […]

Who Qualifies as a Dependent for Louisiana Workers’ Comp Death Benefits?

September 23, 2025

Workers' Compensation Death Benefits

When a worker tragically loses their life in a workplace accident, the impact on the family is devastating. Along with grief, surviving family members often face financial uncertainty, especially if the worker was the primary source of income. Louisiana workers’ compensation laws provide dependency and death benefits to help families maintain financial stability during such […]

Contact Louisiana Workers' Comp

Whether you have suffered an immediate injury or have endured a long-term disability or chronic illness, you deserve to have the support you need to recover. Our work injury attorneys will provide you with nothing less than compassionate understanding and exceptional legal counsel.

We’re eager to start advocating on your behalf.

CALL US (985) 893-6530

Wanko Workers' Comp Lawyers provides its service in New Orleans, Covington, Houma, Thibodaux, Mandeville and all across Louisiana