Clocking in shouldn’t mean putting yourself at risk for serious bodily injury. However, that’s the reality that many industry workers in South Louisiana face each and every time they show up for work. If you’re among those who have been injured on the job working in an industrial setting, you need the compassionate but aggressive representation of a Baton Rouge industrial accident lawyer.
Your employer may not be on your side. But we will be.
Whether you need workers’ compensation benefits to cover your lost wages and medical expenses or are in search of additional compensation via third-party liability, Bianca | Matkins is here for you. As a Baton Rouge law firm, we focus on providing unmatched representation to injury victims and the surviving family members of those who have lost their lives to preventable injuries.
Victims in East Baton Rouge Parish can contact our office by phone or online to claim a free legal consultation with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers. We offer ASL services and specialize in providing legal representation to the Deaf community.
Why Choose Bianca | Matkins?
We know what it’s like to have to work for a living. As champions of the working class in Louisiana, our work injury lawyers refuse to let big companies and their insurers decide how serious injuries should be handled.
Your work injury or Baton Rouge workers’ compensation case is in good hands when you have Bianca | Matkins on your side. As work injury lawyers, we prioritize the lives and well-being of those who keep Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, and South Louisiana thriving.
The Most Dangerous Industries in South Louisiana
South Louisiana is home to a wide range of industries accounting for a significant portion of our region’s employment. Construction, transportation, and health care alone account for 94,200 local jobs. Other prominent industries in Baton Rouge, LA include:
- Oil and gas
- Food processing
- Manufacturing
- Software and technology
- Entertainment
- Education
According to 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following industries had the highest number of fatal workplace injuries in Louisiana:
- Natural resources and maintenance
- Construction and extraction
- Transportation, production, and moving of materials
- Mining and quarrying
- Oil and gas extraction
While the above compromise some of the most dangerous industries in South Louisiana, anyone working at any job may be the victim of a serious industrial workplace accident that causes injury or wrongful death.
We recommend that you meet with an attorney from Bianca | Matkins as soon as possible. We’ll discuss what happened to you, who may be at fault, and what your legal options are.
For a free consultation with a Baton Rouge workers’ compensation attorney, call our personal injury law firm as soon as possible.
Workplace Accidents We Handle
Our work injury lawyers handle a wide range of industrial accident claims and all types of workplace injury claims. If you were injured on the job due to employer negligence or because of poorly-behaved independent contractors, we will examine your case with a careful eye, determining what happened, who was responsible, and what type of compensation you might be owed.
Whether our attorneys are helping a client pursue workers’ compensation benefits or we are filing a personal injury claim against a liable third party, Bianca | Matkins is proud to represent the hardworking residents of Baton Rouge and the surrounding communities who have been injured in/by:
- Car accidents
- Incidents with heavy machinery
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Exposure to toxic or harmful substances
- Contact with objects or “struck by” accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Defective products
- Refinery accidents
Workers’ compensation cases and personal injury claims involving the above accidents can be deceptively complex. Don’t leave your benefits or compensation for a work accident up to chance—contact our legal team today.
Types of Refinery Accidents
Employees working in oil refineries, chemical plants, production platforms, and drilling rigs are put in harm’s way for severe injuries and occupational diseases every time they show up to work. Workers in the oil and chemical industries are particularly vulnerable to the following types of refinery accidents:
- Explosions
- Chemical spills
- Burns
- Falls
- Transportation accidents
Even if your employer is open and honest about your options for workers’ comp, it is unlikely that they will know about all of your options for holding third parties responsible for your accident. This is why it is so important to meet with a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible after your accident or injury.
Common Workplace Injuries
The Baton Rouge area is home to some of the most dangerous industries in the United States. For that reason, every workers’ compensation and personal injury lawyer at our firm is equipped to handle claims involving the most common work injuries. These injuries range from minor to catastrophic and may include:
- Severe burns
- Overexertion injuries
- Torn rotator cuffs
- Strained muscles
- Broken bones
- Amputated limbs
- Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage
Occupational illnesses or diseases are also common among those who work with chemicals or volatile substances and may include:
- Respiratory illnesses
- Cancer
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
Medical care for these injuries and illnesses can be time-consuming and costly. Add this physical, financial, and emotional burden on top of any lost wages, and the need for workers’ comp benefits becomes abundantly clear. You can’t rely on your employer and their insurance provider to do the right thing, though.
We don’t believe the insurance company should decide how much you are owed for your injuries. If you’re ready to ensure that you receive maximum compensation, reach out to our office and ask about a free case evaluation.
Legal Options for Injured Employees
Injured workers have a few potential options to address the cost of medical care, lost income, and other losses following serious workplace accidents. They can file for workers’ compensation, file a personal injury claim, or both.
We don’t expect you to understand what these options mean for your ability to pay your medical bills or cover your missed paychecks—that’s our job. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at your legal options for remedying on-the-job injuries.
The Difference Between Workers’ Compensation Claims and Work Injury Lawsuits
A workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit are two very different legal processes. Most people who have been injured on the job in Louisiana are covered by workers’ compensation benefits, but far fewer have the legal standing to pursue a personal injury case.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Under Louisiana law, virtually every employer is required to purchase and maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage, even if they have just one employee.
Benefits include Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Permanent Total Disability (PTD), or Death Benefits. Death benefits are made to the surviving family members of those who suffered fatal on-the-job injuries.
Whether you are entitled to temporary disability or permanent disability benefits will depend on the type, extent, and severity of your injuries. These benefits cover things like:
- A portion of missed paychecks
- Medical benefits
- Rehabilitation services
- Job retraining services
By maintaining workers’ comp insurance coverage, your employer is protected from legal action in the event that you or other employees are injured in an accident.
Compensation in a Work Injury Lawsuit
A work injury lawsuit is a type of personal injury claim that seeks to recover compensation from a negligent third party who is not your employer. As personal injury lawyers, we know just how vital these types of claims can be.
Unlike with workers’ compensation claims, personal injury suits open up the door for injured employees to hold others liable for their physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, tangible financial losses that fall outside the category of medical bills and lost income, and even punitive damages.
Negligent third parties may include:
- Licensed contract workers
- Manufacturers of tools or auto parts
- Car or truck drivers
- Shipping companies in charge of loading cargo
The industrial accident lawyers of Bianca | Matkins know just how difficult the period of time following a workplace accident can be. If you’re unsure whether your accident necessitates filing a work injury claim in the civil court system, we urge you to meet with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
What To Do After a Workplace Injury
The steps you take following a workplace accident or the onset of injuries may impact your ability to access the benefits you are entitled to.
Report Your Injury to Your Employer
Provide a recorded or written statement to your employer within 30 days of your injury or diagnosis. Failing to meet this deadline may result in a loss of benefits.
Seek Appropriate Medical Care
Do not forego appropriate care out of fear of resulting medical expenses. Remember, you have the right to choose your doctor.
Never sign a Physician’s Choice Form until you’ve had a chance to discuss the document provided with a Baton Rouge workers’ compensation lawyer. You may be signing your right to choose away, leaving you with no choice but to use the physician selected by the insurance company.
Meet With a Work Accident Lawyer
A workplace injury can change your life forever. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help get it back on track.
What Does a Baton Rouge Work Injury Lawyer Do?
The legal team at Bianca | Matkins has the knowledge, experience, and know-how to represent Baton Rouge workers who have been harmed due to a work accident or illness.
A Baton Rouge Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Will:
If you suffered a workplace injury, a workers’ compensation attorney will, among other things:
- Ensure all documents are filled out and submitted within the prescribed time limit
- Collect and compile medical evidence that proves your claim
- Represent your best interests at your hearing
A Personal Injury Lawyer Will:
If a third party played a role in your accident and subsequent injuries, a personal injury lawyer will, among other things:
- Determine all at-fault parties
- Collect and compile evidence that supports your case
- Value the worth of your claim
Bianca | Matkins Fights for Workers
We know that we can’t undo what happened in a workplace or industrial accident, but we can be part of the solution. With an extensive background in Louisiana law and a desire to help those who need it most, Bianca | Matkins is the place to turn after a serious workplace injury.
Don’t worry about upfront costs or keeping up with legal fees along the way. When you contact us, we’ll schedule you for a totally free case evaluation with a Baton Rouge industrial accident lawyer.
