Are There Groups of Employees Who Aren’t Covered by Workers Comp?

Workers comp should cover all workers, but that’s not always true in Louisiana. People get hurt at work every day in Louisiana. There are certain occupations that put you at a much higher risk of getting injured. For example, if you work in construction, you’re at the highest risk of getting hurt. Truck drivers and delivery drivers also get hurt more often than white-collar workers. If this happens to you, call and talk to one of our Louisiana workers comp lawyers today. You don’t want to waste a single day waiting for your employer to do the right thing.

Most Employees Are Entitled to Apply for Workers Compensation Benefits

For the most part, employees in Louisiana and every other state are allowed to file for workers compensation benefits if they get hurt on the job. There are some groups, however, who aren’t entitled to even file a claim. Some of these include the following:

  • Federal government employees
  • Farm and agricultural workers
  • Domestic servants and nannies
  • Railroad employees
  • Independent contractors

If you happen to fall into one of these categories, you need to talk to a seasoned Louisiana workers comp lawyer right away. There are deadlines you need to meet if you expect to collect workers comp benefits.

How Do You Know If You’re Allowed to Claim Benefits?

If you aren’t a human resources manager or Louisiana workers comp lawyer, there’s no reason you would know the laws. The best way to find out if you’re eligible to file a claim under workers comp is to ask your employer. If they don’t give you the information you need or are intentionally vague, just call a Louisiana workers comp attorney. They’ll tell you the truth right away. And if you do have a valid claim, they’ll make sure it’s handled properly from the start.

If You Don’t Qualify for Workers Comp You Can Still File a Legal Claim

Just because your claim isn’t covered by workers comp, that doesn’t mean you have nowhere to turn. Your Louisiana workers comp lawyer will spell out your options so you can decide how to proceed. You may have to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. You may have a potential lawsuit against a third party. For example, if you get hurt at work because of defective equipment, you can sue the company that makes or maintains the equipment. Your attorney will let you know what the best route is to take.

It’s important to keep in mind that just because you are entitled to file a workers compensation claim doesn’t mean it’s going to be approved. There are still numerous reasons why your claim would be denied. Some of these include:

  • You weren’t on the clock when the injury took place
  • You were drunk or high at the time of your accident
  • You refused to be seen by the company-approved doctor
  • You refused to submit to a drug test prior to leaving the premises
  • You were hurt at your second job but know you’ll get higher weekly wages through your full-time job

If your claim is denied, your Louisiana workers comp lawyer is still going to fight for you. You may be able to appeal your claim. You won’t know until you meet with an experienced Louisiana workers comp lawyer.

Take the Time to Meet With an Experienced Louisiana Workers Comp Lawyer

When your livelihood is at stake, you can’t afford to take chances. You owe it to yourself to at least meet with an experienced Louisiana workers compensation lawyer. You can sit down with someone who’s handled dozens of cases like yours before. They know the workers compensation laws in Louisiana. They also know which employees are covered under the law.

If you learn that your injuries aren’t covered by workers comp, you still have avenues of redress. You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the company. Or you may be a member of an otherwise covered class. For example, if you work for the federal government, there may a similar forum in which you can present your claim.

The best thing for you to do right now is to call and talk to one of our experienced Louisiana workers comp lawyers. Explain your situation and find out what your options are. You may not be eligible for workers compensation, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be on your own to handle your medical bills. If you get hurt at work, there will be ways to protect your rights. Call today and schedule your free, initial consultation.