Q: What causes most work accidents, injuries, and deaths?

Safety failures, mistakes, and inexperience are the underlying causes of most job-related accidents. The leading categories include falls, exposures to hazardous materials, motor vehicle accidents, object and equipment accidents, and explosions or fires. Falls alone account for nearly 17% of all deadly workplace accidents. Motor vehicle accidents account for about 40%.

Q: How does a workers' compensation claim work in Louisiana?

You report the accident to your employer within 30 days. Your employer files a First Report of Injury with its insurer within 10 days. The insurer files with the Louisiana Workforce Commission and then investigates the claim. After the investigation, benefits are either granted or denied. Insurance companies do not always conduct fair or unbiased investigations, which is why legal representation matters.

Q: When should I contact a Covington workers' compensation lawyer?

As soon as possible after the accident. Deadlines in Louisiana workers' compensation cases are strict, and early missteps in reporting, documentation, or dealing with insurers can affect the outcome of your claim. An attorney can help you navigate the process from the start and protect your rights throughout.

Covington Workers' Compensation Attorney | Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers

There are plenty of qualified attorneys in St. Tammany Parish who serve the people of Covington. You are doing your research, which means something has happened. Something serious enough to engage legal counsel. No one reads lawyer websites until they need one.

Our clients came to us after they were injured at work, usually because of someone else's negligence or an unsafe workplace. This page explains how workers' compensation claims work in Louisiana, what legal options exist beyond the workers' comp system, and what Morris & Dewett offers. Read it. Compare us to others. Make the decision that is right for your situation.

What Causes Most Work Accidents, Injuries & Deaths?

Safety failures, oversights, mistakes, and inexperience are the underlying causes of many job-related accidents, injuries, and deaths.

Falling

Nearly 17% of all deadly workplace accidents involve some type of fall. About 95% of these fatal falls are happening in the private sector. Falling accidents at work can involve scaffolding and heights, but they also include slip, trip, and fall incidents on icy or wet floors.

Exposures to Hazardous Materials

More than 12% of all work-related deaths result from exposures to toxic, flammable, or volatile substances. These materials can cause respiratory injury, burns, and death. They include acids, natural gas, industrial solvents, and caustic cleaning agents. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide have caused more fatal occupational exposures than any other toxic substance over the last decade.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

About 40% of fatal workplace accidents involve motor vehicle crashes. Most affect people working in transportation, trucking, and warehousing. About 12% of deadly on-the-job motor vehicle accidents took place in the construction industry. About 8% took the lives of those working in waste management services.

Object-Related or Equipment Accidents

Close to 14% of occupational deaths are caused by objects hitting or falling on workers and by equipment accidents. Crushing injuries, amputations, and traumatic brain injury can happen when objects are not properly secured, operated, or maintained. A lack of safety guards, failure to follow protocols, mechanical failures, and operator mistakes can all lead to equipment accidents.

Explosions and Fires

About 2% of all fatal occupational injuries are caused by explosions and fires in the workplace. Most occur in the transportation, oil and gas, mining, and natural resources industries. Workplace fires and explosions can result from machinery failures, employee oversights, or the negligence of contract workers and equipment manufacturers.

What Are My Legal Options After a Workplace Accident?

Your legal options depend on several variables, including how the accident occurred and whether you were an employee or a contractor at the time of injury. Louisiana workers' compensation law requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance.

Workers' compensation is designed to protect both employees and employers. It provides defined benefits to injured workers and limits the employer's liability exposure. What those benefits cover and the process for obtaining them are governed by Louisiana law.

It is important to understand that not every worker is covered identically, and not every claim is straightforward. In some situations, a third-party personal injury claim may also be available alongside or separate from the workers' compensation process.

How Does a Workers' Compensation Claim Work?

The process moves through several steps from the time of injury to a benefit determination:

You report the accident and injury to your employer as soon as possible. Louisiana law requires this report within 30 days.
You get medical care. You may be required to see a doctor selected by your employer, and certain care may require your employer's approval.
Your employer files a "First Report of Injury" claim with its insurer within 10 days of your injury report.
The employer's insurer files a claim with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
The insurer investigates the claim to determine eligibility for benefits. Investigations can include reviews of medical records and work histories.
Benefits are denied or granted based on the insurer's findings.

Insurance companies do not always conduct fair, thorough, or unbiased investigations. That can result in wrongful claim denials, undercut benefits, or early termination of benefits.

When Should I Contact a Covington Lawyer?

As soon as possible after a work accident. A Covington work accident lawyer can identify all available legal remedies, flag impending deadlines, and explain what steps matter most. Your attorney can manage the paperwork, deal directly with insurance companies, and take early action to push back against any mishandling of your claim investigation. If your situation involves third-party claims, your attorney can handle those cases as well.

Having a lawyer involved early improves the chances of securing and maximizing compensation from your claim.

What Type of Compensation Can I Get After a Work Accident?

Compensation depends on whether you pursue a workers' compensation claim, a third-party case, or both. It also depends on the severity of your injuries, how much work you miss, and other factors.

Workers' compensation benefits generally include medical benefits, wage replacement benefits, and rehabilitation benefits if a work injury prevents you from returning to your prior occupation.

When a third-party personal injury claim involving a work injury is pursued and resolved, compensation can include damages beyond what workers' comp covers. That includes compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic harms.

View our case results to see the outcomes we have achieved for clients with work injury claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What causes most work accidents, injuries, and deaths?: Safety failures, mistakes, and inexperience are the underlying causes of most job-related accidents. The leading categories include falls, exposures to hazardous materials, motor vehicle accidents, object and equipment accidents, and explosions or fires. Falls alone account for nearly 17% of all deadly workplace accidents. Motor vehicle accidents account for about 40%.
Q: What are my legal options after a workplace accident?: Your options depend on how the accident happened and your employment status at the time. Louisiana law requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance, which provides defined benefits and limits employer liability. In some situations, a separate third-party personal injury claim is also available. A Covington work injury lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and identify which paths are open to you.
Q: How does a workers' compensation claim work in Louisiana?: You report the accident to your employer within 30 days. Your employer files a First Report of Injury with its insurer within 10 days. The insurer files with the Louisiana Workforce Commission and then investigates the claim. After the investigation, benefits are either granted or denied. Insurance companies do not always conduct fair or unbiased investigations, which is why legal representation matters.
Q: When should I contact a Covington workers' compensation lawyer?: As soon as possible after the accident. Deadlines in Louisiana workers' compensation cases are strict, and early missteps in reporting, documentation, or dealing with insurers can affect the outcome of your claim. An attorney can help you navigate the process from the start and protect your rights throughout.
Q: What type of compensation can I get after a work accident?: Workers' compensation benefits can include medical coverage, wage replacement, and rehabilitation benefits. If a third-party claim is also available, you may be able to recover additional damages including compensation for pain and suffering. The total available depends on your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and which claims you are entitled to pursue.

These answers reflect Louisiana law as of January 2026. For case specific advice, consult with a Louisiana personal injury attorney who can evaluate your particular circumstances.