Workers’ compensation is a vital safety net for employees who suffer injuries or illnesses on the job. It provides medical care and wage replacement, ensuring injured workers get treatment and financial support while they recover. But many people are unsure which types of injuries are actually covered under Louisiana law. A workplace injury can turn your life upside down. Medical bills pile up, paychecks stop coming, and the insurance company may not have your best interests at heart.

At Brandt & Sherman, our workers’ compensation attorneys help employees across Louisiana understand their rights, file strong claims, and fight insurance companies that try to deny benefits. With more than 50 years of combined experience, we know how to take on the “Goliaths” so you can focus on your health and your future.

Traumatic Workplace Injuries

Under Louisiana law, a workplace “accident” is defined as something sudden, unexpected, and identifiable that produces injury at the time it happens. These injuries may range from minor cuts to life-changing trauma.

Common examples include:

• Broken bones or fractures from falls, heavy lifting, or machinery accidents
• Sprains and strains caused by slips, trips, or overexertion
• Head injuries from falling objects or vehicle accidents on the job
• Cuts and burns from tools, equipment, or chemical exposure

Traumatic injuries often require immediate medical care and may lead to long-term disability. Workers’ compensation is designed to cover the cost of treatment and provide wage benefits during recovery.

In Louisiana, these accidents often occur in high-risk industries such as oilfield operations, chemical refineries, and construction sites, where heavy equipment and hazardous conditions create added dangers. Some injuries can permanently alter a worker’s life. Spinal cord injuries may result in paralysis, severe head injuries may cause lasting cognitive impairments, and amputations may limit future employment opportunities. In these cases, Louisiana workers’ comp may provide permanent disability benefits to help support you for the long term.

Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs)

Not all workplace injuries happen in a single moment. Repetitive stress injuries develop gradually due to continuous motion or strain. They are especially common in jobs that involve repetitive tasks like typing, assembly line work, or manual labor.

Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis affecting the shoulders or elbows, and chronic back pain from heavy lifting. While these conditions may not appear right away, they can eventually make it impossible to work.

Different industries see different RSIs:

• Office workers may develop carpal tunnel from keyboard use.
• Nurses and healthcare workers often suffer back injuries from moving patients.
• Construction workers may experience shoulder or knee damage from constant strain.

Workers’ compensation covers medical treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation for RSIs. But because these injuries develop over time, insurers often dispute whether they are “work-related.” Reporting symptoms early and seeking medical care quickly makes your claim stronger.

Occupational Illnesses

Workers’ compensation also covers illnesses that develop from hazardous conditions or exposures in the workplace. Unlike traumatic injuries, occupational diseases may take years to appear.

Examples include:

• Respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD from chemical or dust exposure
• Skin conditions such as dermatitis from contact with irritants
• Hearing loss from long-term exposure to loud machinery
• Certain cancers linked to workplace carcinogens like asbestos

Louisiana’s industries bring unique risks. Shipyard workers and oil refinery employees may face asbestos or chemical exposure. Agricultural workers can develop illness from pesticides and fertilizers. Industrial employees may suffer lung disease from inhaling dust, fumes, or silica.

Because occupational illnesses are often harder to prove, insurance companies may argue the condition wasn’t caused by your job. Our attorneys gather medical records, employment histories, and expert testimony to show the connection between your illness and your workplace.

Psychological Injuries

While physical injuries are most common, Louisiana workers’ compensation may also cover mental health conditions in limited situations.

To qualify, a mental injury must:

• Stem from a physical workplace injury, or
• Be caused by sudden and extraordinary stress tied to the job.

Ordinary workplace stress does not qualify. For example:

• A bank teller who develops PTSD after an armed robbery may be eligible.
• A first responder who suffers trauma after a violent accident scene may qualify.
• A worker with depression caused by ordinary job pressure likely will not.

These cases are challenging to prove. In most situations, proof requires medical documentation from a licensed mental health provider, and insurers often push back hard on these claims. Having a lawyer who understands the strict Louisiana rules on psychological injuries is critical to success.

Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions

Louisiana law also allows workers’ comp benefits when a job aggravates a pre-existing condition. This means that even if you had a prior injury or health issue, you may still qualify if work activities made it worse.

For example, a warehouse worker with a previous back injury who suffers additional damage while lifting on the job may be eligible for benefits. The key is showing that the job duties worsened the existing condition.

What Benefits Are Available Under Louisiana Workers’ Compensation?

If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to several types of benefits, including:

• Medical expenses — coverage for all treatment related to the work injury, including surgery, medication, therapy, and rehabilitation
• Wage replacement — a portion of your lost income while you’re unable to work
• Vocational rehabilitation — job retraining if you cannot return to your previous position
• Death benefits — financial support for surviving family members if a worker dies from a job-related injury or illness

These benefits are meant to support injured workers and their families during recovery, but insurance companies often dispute or delay rightful claims. That’s where we step in.

Types of Wage Benefits in Louisiana

Louisiana law provides different wage benefits depending on your condition:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Paid when you cannot work at all during recovery.
• Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB): If you can work but earn less because of your injury.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): For permanent impairment that doesn’t fully prevent work.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): For injuries that prevent you from ever working again.

These benefits are designed to keep injured workers and their families financially stable. Unfortunately, insurance companies often dispute claims or cut off benefits too early.

Get Help With Your Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you’ve been injured or developed an illness because of your job, you may be entitled to benefits under Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system. Unfortunately, employers and insurers don’t always make the process easy.

At Brandt & Sherman, we know how to fight the insurance Goliaths. We’ll guide you through the claims process, ensure your paperwork is complete, and stand up for your rights in disputes. You pay nothing unless we win.

Call us today at (337) 800-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Lawsuit FAQs

Does workers’ comp cover stress in Louisiana?

Not always. Ordinary workplace stress is not covered. To qualify, a mental health condition must stem from a physical injury or be caused by sudden, extraordinary stress, such as witnessing a traumatic event on the job.

Can I get workers’ comp if I had a pre-existing condition?

Yes. If your job duties aggravated or worsened a pre-existing condition, you may still qualify for benefits. The key is proving that your work activities made the condition worse.

How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim in Louisiana?

In most cases, you must notify your employer of the injury within 30 days and file your claim within one year of the accident. Occupational illness claims may have different timelines. Talking to an attorney quickly is the safest way to protect your rights.

What types of benefits can I receive through Louisiana workers’ comp?

You may be entitled to medical coverage, wage replacement, vocational rehabilitation, and in some cases, death benefits for surviving family members. The exact benefits depend on your injury and work capacity.

Can my employer fire me for filing a workers’ compensation claim?

No. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for filing a workers’ comp claim. If you believe you were fired or treated unfairly because you exercised your rights, you may have additional legal claims.