Spinal cord injuries are among the most medically and legally complex cases, and may result in life-long medical complications and disability.
Anyone dealing with a spinal cord injury as a result of a work accident should immediately seek representation from an experienced spinal injury lawyer in New Orleans, Covington, Raceland or the surrounding area.
In the wake of a spinal cord injury, outcome and prognosis is always uncertain. Nobody can tell you how long it will take to recover, what the ultimate outcome will be, or what long-term medical issues or disabilities will result. Medical and rehabilitative costs are astronomical, to say nothing of the cost of long-term care.
None of this is meant to scare victims and families, who likely are already overwhelmed. But the severity of such diagnoses are well-known and understood by workers’ compensation insurers, which will be focused on reducing the cost of a claim from the outset.
Work Accidents & Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is the body’s nerve center and runs from the base of the skull down to the center of the back. It is covered by three layers of membranes and surrounded by vertebrae.
Injury can be caused by bruising, stretching, pressure, severing or laceration. Intervertebral discs also may shatter, puncturing the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries may be either incomplete or complete.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries: incomplete tetraplegia (quadriplegia) or paraplegia are the most common types of injury. These types of injuries result in a lessening of sensory or motor function below the site of injury, although some recovery of function may occur over time.
Complete spinal cord injury: These types of injuries result from permanent damage to the spinal cord, and are defined by complete lack of motor and sensory function below the site of injury.
Spinal cord injuries are graded on a scale of A to E, with A indicating a complete lack of motor or sensor functions and E indicating normal function despite apparent injury and/or neurological or muscular deficits.
Spinal Cord Work Injury Claims
The most common causes of spinal cord injuries are motor-vehicle accidents and falls. Because of the astronomical costs of medical care and rehabilitation, and likelihood of permanent disability and loss of quality of life, an experienced work injury law firm in New Orleans must thoroughly investigate these cases to identify and pursue all liable parties.
Under the law, most employers are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance to all employees. These benefits cover costs of a work accident, regardless of fault, and include:
Lifetime medical benefits for care related to the injury, including rehabilitation and transportation costs.
Replacement of lost wages.
Permanent partial or total disability benefits.
In addition to a workers’ compensation claim against an employer, a personal injury claim should be pursued against any liable third party, which may include an at-fault driver, property owner, or other third party, such as an independent or general contractor who contributed to the accident or injury. While employers who provide workers’ compensation to employees are generally exempt from such lawsuits, third-parties can be pursued for additional damages and benefits when it can be proven that their actions or inactions caused or contributed to an accident or injury.
If you have been injured, call day or night for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 985-202-9907.
Louisiana Workers' Compensation Claims
-20 Years of Professional Experience-
Will My Injury Be Covered?
Workers’ compensation covers both mental and physical injuries and occupational diseases.
Under Louisiana law, an accident refers to anything that is unexpected, unforeseen and occurs suddenly or violently – producing an injury.
The injury:
may or may not produce a disabling condition
may allow you to still work
may take you out of work
Generally, your compensation will not be affected depending upon who was at fault for the accident.
An occupational disease or illness is covered if it is the direct result of exposure to hazardous or toxic materials in the workplace. If you work in Louisiana’s oil and gas or chemical and petrochemical industries, you are at a greater risk to develop serious health conditions.
Common injuries suffered on the job include, but are not limited to:
In Louisiana, most workers are covered under Workers’ Compensation Statutes on the first day that they begin employment. These benefits extend to all workers whether they are employed full-time, part-time or seasonally.
Additionally, employees who are minors are also covered to the same degree as if they were adults.
Primary Types of Benefits:
Indemnity/Lost Wages — weekly payments based upon your average weekly wage; you will receive 66% of your average weekly wage capped at a maximum rate
Medical and/or Death — covers all necessary and reasonable medical treatment, including doctors visits, diagnostic tests, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, etc.
Mileage Reimbursement — travel related expenses to and from health care provider, pharmacy, etc. Vocational Rehabilitation program designed to retrain you in an attempt to return you to work for your previous employer, or find new work.
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.
1140 St. Charles Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Thibodaux Location
406 West 3rd Street #105 Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301
Disclaimer: The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute an attorney client relationship. We are workers compensation attorneys serving the entire New Orleans area including Larose, Golden, Meadow, Thibodaux, Houma, Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Metairie, Belle Chasse, Elmwood, Boutte, Harahan, Destrehan, River Ridge, Raceland, Slidell, Kenner and all of Louisiana. We serve St. Tammany Parish, Livingston Parish, Orleans Parish, and Jefferson Parish.
The spinal cord is the body’s nerve center and runs from the base of the skull down to the center of the back. It is covered by three layers of membranes and surrounded by vertebrae.
