Best Workers Compensation Attorneys in Lafayette

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Lafayette, Louisiana?

  The non-emergency phone number of the Lafayette Police Department is 337-291-8600.

• Where can I get a copy of police report for incidents related to my case in Lafayette, Louisiana?

  You may request a copy of a Lafayette police report by sending an email to PublicRecords@lafayettela.gov.

• How soon should you report your work-related injury to your employer in Lafayette?

  It would be in your best interest to report your work-related injury to your employer in Lafayette as soon as possible. Louisiana laws allow an employee just 30 days from the date of the accident to submit a written report to his or her employer. If you miss this time window, your right to recover workers’ compensation benefits may expire.

• Can you lose your job if you file a workers’ compensation claim in Lafayette?

  According to Louisiana Revised Statutes §23:1361, your employer cannot terminate your employment simply because you have filed a workers’ compensation claim. That said, your employer still has the discretion to relieve you of your post while on worker’s compensation if you can no longer carry out the duties that your original job requires.

• Are you covered by workers’ compensation if you are an undocumented employee in Lafayette?

  Yes. Even if you are an undocumented employee working in Lafayette, you are still covered by workers’ compensation under Louisiana law since the state workers’ compensation statute does not mention anything about one’s immigration status. This means you have the right to medical care and lost wages if you get injured while on the job.

• Does workers’ compensation cover mental health in Lafayette?

  Yes, mental injuries are covered by workers’ compensation in Lafayette. According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, workers’ compensation in the state covers both psychological and physical injuries from either accidents or occupational diseases. However, mental injuries must be due to a bodily injury or a sudden, unexpected, and extraordinary stress related to one’s employment. Additionally, the claimant must provide clear and convincing evidence to prove his or her condition.

• Are you entitled to indemnity benefits if your loved one under workers’ compensation in Lafayette passed away?

  It depends. If the employee died within two years of the last treatment date due to any job-related accident, you may be entitled to weekly indemnity benefits, provided that you are a dependent (i.e., the spouse or the child) of the deceased. If the employee does not have dependents, their surviving parents are entitled to a one-time benefit of $75,000 each.