


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.



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)


If you’ve been hurt on the job in Louisiana, your first priority should be getting the medical care you need. But once the workers’ compensation process begins, you might wonder, do I have the right to see my own doctor—or does my employer choose for me? In 2025, Louisiana law still gives injured workers an […]

Losing a loved one to a workplace accident or occupational illness is an unthinkable tragedy. Beyond the emotional toll, many families are left facing financial uncertainty—especially if the deceased was the primary breadwinner. Fortunately, Louisiana workers’ compensation law provides death benefits to help support eligible dependents. These benefits are intended to replace lost income and […]

Once you settle your workers’ compensation claim in Louisiana for a lump sum, you might assume you can revisit the agreement if things don’t go as planned. Unfortunately, in most cases, you can’t. At Wanko Workers’ Comp Lawyers, we speak with injured workers every week who regret accepting a settlement, often because their condition worsens […]
