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Trey justin hero edit after an occupational accident or injury occurs, here is the process that generally ensues for those who file louisiana workers compensation claims:

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Every day, work accidents kill at least 14 people in the U.S. (source: BLS). Dozens more suffer serious injuries when things go wrong on the job. Tragically, many of these work accidents involve some type of negligence.

When they do, survivors and families can rely on Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers for help recovering. For more than 20 years, our Ruston work accident lawyers have been helping people just like you navigate the path to compensation and justice. No matter how a work accident happened, you can rely on us for strategic representation, experienced advocacy, and client-focused service when it matters most.

We are here for you, ready to help 24/7.

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Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers has successfully resolved several occupational accident and death cases,

recovering millions for the injured and families who have lost loved ones. We are ready to make your claim and recovery our next victory.

Click on a link below to jump directly to a section and learn more about work accident causes, lawyers, cases, and compensation.

What Are the Leading Causes of Work Injuries & Deaths?

Most work accidents and job-related injuries stem from some type of negligence. In fact, failures to take proper safety precautions, a lack of proper training, and other oversights are commonly involved in job accidents. According to authorities, the top five causes of work accidents include (sources: data and reports from BLS).
  • 1
    Falls
  • 2
    Motor vehicle accidents
  • 3
    Hazardous or toxic exposures
  • 4
    Equipment Accidents
  • 5
    Fires and explosions
Below is a closer look at each of these causes and how negligence can be at play.
Falls at Work
More than 1 in every 6 workplace deaths is caused by a fall. Those falls can happen with or without any elevation. And they are far more likely to occur when factors like (but not limited to) the following are involved:
  • A lack of fall protections for workers in elevated areas: Regulators say this is the leading cause of OSHA violations among U.S. employers (source: OSHA).
  • A lack of safety training or protocols: Employers can have several safety responsibilities, depending on their industry and operations. When they fail to provide essential training or put the proper safety practices in place, they put their workers at risk of falls and other accidents.
  • Poorly maintained work sites: Uneven flooring, cluttered walkways, broken stairs, and other dangers can also contribute to falls in work settings.
Exposures to Hazardous Materials
About 1 in every 8 work-related deaths happens when workers are exposed to toxic or hazardous substances. These substances may cause injury upon contact with the skin or inhalation of vapors. From acids and natural gas to industrial solvents and caustic cleaning agents, hazardous materials can cause serious injuries whenever they are mishandled or improperly stored. Over the last 10 years, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide have been the two leading causes of deadly workplace exposures.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
About 2 in every 5 workplace deaths happen in traffic crashes. Most of these occur in the transportation, trucking, delivery, and warehousing industries. About 1 in 8 involves a construction worker, and about 1 in 12 affects a waste management worker. Often, these deadly motor vehicle wrecks are the result of motorist negligence, mechanical failures, or other preventable problems.
Equipment Accidents
About 1 in 7 occupational deaths involves some type of object or piece of equipment, including crushing accidents and equipment malfunctions. These incidents can result in catastrophic and fatal injuries, especially if factors like (but not limited to) the following are involved:
  • A lack of safety guards on machinery
  • Failure to train workers on how to use equipment properly
  • Failure to properly secure objects in the workplace
  • Noncompliance with safety regulations
Explosions & Fires
Workplace fires cause about 2% of all occupational deaths each year. While these fires can occur after other accidents, like motor vehicle crashes, they can also arise when flammable substances are mishandled or stored negligently. Workers in the oil and gas industries tend to have the greatest risk of work-related fires.

Work Accident, Injury & Death Statistics

Federal authorities keep lots of data on workplace accidents, injuries, and deaths, and the latest numbers show that work accidents are far too common (sources: OSHA & BLS):
  • Every 99 minutes, a fatal work accident occurs.
  • About 1 in 5 occupational deaths affects a construction worker.
  • Another 1 in 5 work-related deaths victimizes sales drivers or truckers.
  • In 2019, occupational deaths reach a 12-year high, topping more than 5,300.
  • Grounds maintenance workers have had a soaring death rate over the past decade while deaths among police and military have fallen by more than 20%.
These facts don’t begin to reveal how devastating the impacts of work accidents, injuries, and deaths can really be. If you or a loved one has been hurt on the job, you can count on a Ruston work injury lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers for help. We know how to get injured workers and families justice, and we can set your case up for success.

Do I Have a Claim After a Workplace Accident?

You will need to answer the following questions first in order to figure out if you have a case and, if so, what needs to happen next:
  • How did the accident occur?
  • Who was at fault for the accident?
  • When did the accident happen?
  • Were you on the clock (working) when the accident happened?
Depending on those answers, you could have a:
  • Workers’ compensation claim:
    Louisiana workers’ compensation law requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance (with some exceptions). That means that, if your employer has this coverage and you’re hurt on the job, you could file a workers’ compensation claim, even if you’re at fault for the injuries. Keep in mind, however, that these cases have strict deadlines and firm rules you need to follow, and making a mistake could result in a loss of eligibility for benefits.
  • A claim against a third party:
    Independent of a workers’ compensation claim, you could have a case against another party, meaning a party that is not your employer or a co-worker. That could be the case if third-party negligence was involved in your work accident. So, for instance, if the negligence of a contractor or manufacturer was involved, you could sue those parties.
Understanding your options and whether you have multiple claims can be much easier when you work with an experienced Ruston work injury lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers. We can identify every available remedy and help you take the right action to get your claim started — and to bring it to the best resolution possible.
Asian worker wearing hard hat hard working in factory workshop
Paper mill factory worker

How Does a Workers’ Compensation Case Work?

After an occupational accident or injury occurs, here is the process that generally ensues for those who file Louisiana workers compensation claims:
  • The accident and injury must be reported to your employer. Ideally, you should notify an employer ASAP after an injury. The law gives you 30 days (from the incident) to make this report and maintain eligibility for benefits.
  • You should receive medical care. You may need to see a doctor chosen by your employer, and you may need to get your employer’s approval before receiving certain types of care.
  • Your employer files a “First Report of Injury” claim. This report will be filed with the employer’s insurance company within 10 days of receiving your injury report.
  • The employer’s insurer will file a claim with the Louisiana Department of Labor’s Workforce Commission.
  • The insurance company investigation will get underway. This can involve interviews, work history reviews, and medical record reviews to make decisions about whether to grant benefits and, if so, the amount and duration of those benefits.
  • A decision about benefits will be made. At this point, the insurance company will decide whether to deny or grant benefits, based on the findings of its investigation.
As simple as that process may seem on paper, it’s important to remember that:
  • Insurance companies do not always carry out thorough or unbiased investigations. They aren’t looking to prove you deserve benefits. They often come at these claims looking for ways to deny or reduce benefits.
  • An attorney can manage the process for you while helping you achieve better results. The truth is that insurance companies can be difficult to deal with and that they can be far more willing to play fair when lawyers are involved with claims.
A Ruston workers’ compensation lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers can help you seek the workers’ compensation benefits you may deserve.

When Should I Talk to a Ruston Lawyer?

ASAP. The clock for your claims could already be ticking down, and negligent parties could already be crafting a defense or getting rid of key evidence for your claim. The sooner you speak to a Ruston work accident lawyer, the sooner you can get:
  • Helpful answers about your rights and legal options
  • Clear advice and insights about your claim(s)
  • Experienced representation and effective advocacy
You don’t have to pay anything to get the information you need to get on the road to justice. Simply contact a trusted Ruston work accident lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers to get confidential, free information about a work injury case.

What Compensation Can I Get after a Work Accident in Ruston, LA?

The claims you file and the severity of your injuries will impact the type of compensation you receive. If you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you could receive compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and maybe even rehabilitation benefits for job training.

If you have a claim against a third-party — a personal injury case — you could be eligible for compensation that covers (but is not limited to):

  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost earnings (past and future)
  • Property damage
  • Loss of consortium
This compensation may never undo the physical and psychological trauma injured workers and families struggle with after work accidents. It can, however, help victims pick up the pieces and focus on healing.

A Ruston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Is Ready to Help You

You don’t have to recover from a work accident alone. Get answers about your rights and legal options by contacting a Ruston work injury lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers. From workers’ compensation cases to complex personal injury lawsuits, our experienced team handles it all, providing unmatched, winning representation to help victims recover when it matters most.
Call (318) 221-1508 or Email Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation. Your path to justice can start with a call or an email.

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