If you have suffered an injury in a workplace accident in Lafayette, LA, you likely have options available to you for compensation. A Lafayette workplace accident lawyer at Kenny Habetz Injury Law can help you understand and explore your legal options beginning immediately. Call us at (337) 399-9000.
A workers’ comp claim is one possibility, but in some cases, that might not be enough to cover your losses – that’s when filing a lawsuit might be in your best interest.
We’re led by award-winning Lafayette workplace accident lawyer Kenny Habetz Injury Law, who has a decade of experience practicing law and has collected millions of dollars for his deserving clients on cases involving Lafayette car accidents, Lafayette truck accidents, wrongful death claims, motorcycle injuries, brain injury cases, and more.
If you choose our personal injury law firm to help with your workplace accident claim, we are confident that we can help you ensure a favorable result that makes you whole again as best as possible.
If you have any questions about your case and what we can do to help, Contact us today by phone or online. We offer a completely free consultation to review the facts surrounding your workplace injury accident.
How Common Are Fatal Workplace Injuries in Louisiana? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Louisiana recorded 96 fatal work injuries in 2024, the most recent year of confirmed data. Transportation incidents caused the most deaths (32), followed by exposure to harmful substances (18), violent acts (17), and contact with objects or equipment (15). Construction and extraction occupations alone accounted for 16 of these fatalities, and natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations combined for 28. These numbers underscore why South Louisiana’s job sites, highways, and industrial facilities remain some of the most dangerous places to work in the country. Source: BLS Southwest Information Office, Fatal Occupational Injuries in Louisiana (data released February 2026)
How Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Works
Workers’ compensation benefits are generally available when employees suffer injuries arising out of and during the course of employment.
Benefits May Include:
Medical Treatment: Workers’ compensation may cover necessary medical care related to the workplace injury.
Wage Replacement Benefits: Injured workers may receive partial wage replacement while unable to work.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits: Workers who cannot return to work temporarily may qualify for disability payments.
Permanent Disability Benefits: Some workers suffer permanent impairments affecting future employment.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Workers unable to return to their previous jobs may receive assistance with retraining.
What Makes Workplace Accident Claims Complicated?
Although workers’ compensation is considered a no-fault system, claims are often heavily disputed.
Insurance companies may argue:
- The injury happened outside of work
- The injury existed before the accident
- The worker failed to report the injury properly
- The medical treatment is unnecessary
- The worker can return to work sooner than recommended
These disputes can delay medical care and financial support.
What Is the Third-Party Liability Exception?
While workers’ compensation laws often limit lawsuits against employers, injured workers may still have the right to pursue claims against negligent third parties.
Examples of Third-Party Liability
A third-party claim may arise when a workplace injury involves:
- Negligent subcontractors
- Defective machinery manufacturers
- Unsafe drivers
- Property owners
- Equipment companies
- Offshore contractors
Third-party lawsuits may allow injured workers to recover additional compensation beyond standard workers’ compensation benefits.
Because third-party claims are based on negligence rather than the no-fault workers’ compensation system, they can be affected by how much fault is assigned to each party. Louisiana modified its comparative fault law effective July 1, 2024, which can change how a jury or insurer calculates a settlement or verdict when more than one party shares responsibility for a workplace accident. An attorney can walk you through how this applies to your specific case.
What Damages Are Available in Third-Party Claims?
Unlike standard workers’ compensation claims, third-party personal injury lawsuits may include compensation for:
- Full lost wages
- Future earning losses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Disability-related damages
- Future medical expenses
This can significantly increase the potential value of a workplace injury case.
Construction and Industrial Workplace Injuries in Louisiana
South Louisiana workers frequently perform dangerous jobs in construction, offshore drilling, transportation, and industrial facilities.
Common high-risk industries include:
- Oil and gas
- Maritime work
- Construction
- Warehousing
- Transportation
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
Accidents in these industries often involve severe injuries and complicated liability issues.
Offshore and Maritime Workplace Injuries
Some workplace injuries fall under federal maritime laws instead of traditional workers’ compensation systems.
Offshore workers may have rights under:
- The Jones Act
- Maritime law
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
These claims differ significantly from standard Louisiana workers’ compensation cases.
What to Do After a Workplace Accident
Taking the right steps after a workplace injury can protect your health and legal rights.
Important Steps After a Workplace Injury
- Report the injury immediately
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan
- Document the accident and injuries
- Save medical records and receipts
- Avoid giving recorded statements without guidance
- Contact a workplace accident lawyer
Prompt reporting is often critical in workers’ compensation claims.
Why Insurance Companies Fight Workplace Injury Claims
Workers’ compensation insurers often attempt to reduce costs by minimizing claims.
Common insurance tactics include:
- Delaying medical treatment approvals
- Denying disability benefits
- Claiming injuries are unrelated to work
- Pressuring workers to return too early
- Surveillance investigations
- Disputing long-term disability needs
Strong legal representation can help injured workers protect their rights.
How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help With Your Workplace Accident Claim in Lafayette
Suffering an injury at work can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what you can do to make up for your losses.
The accident might have left you with mounting medical bills and other expenses, which can be difficult to pay if you also missed work due to your injuries. Workers’ comp can help with some of this, but it can’t help you recover for things like your pain and suffering.
And your employer and their insurance carrier might dispute your claim.
Whether you need assistance filing a workers’ comp claim or would like to explore the possibility of filing a lawsuit for additional compensation, Kenny Habetz Injury Law can help.
Personal injury attorney Kenny Habetz has received numerous awards thus far in his legal career; The National Trial Lawyers has placed him on their Top 40 Under 40 and Top 100 Trial Lawyers lists, and Expertise has named him one of the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Lafayette.
When you hire us to help you with your case, we’ll be able to assist by:
- Exploring all of your legal options to maximize your compensation award
- Investigating your workplace accident to gather evidence with the aid of experts if necessary
- Handling all of the procedures, paperwork, and negotiations related to your workers’ comp claim
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your claim to court if there’s a liable party to pursue additional damages from
Contact our law office in Lafayette, Louisiana, today to schedule your free case review with our trusted personal injury attorney.
How Do I Receive Compensation in a Workplace Accident Case in Louisiana? | Workplace Accident Lawyer Guidance
The first place to turn for compensation after most workplace accidents in Lafayette is to file a workers’ comp claim. Most employers in the State of Louisiana are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to provide benefits to employees who are injured on the job.
One primary benefit of workers’ compensation claims is that you do not need to prove that anyone was at-fault for the accident. Even if you caused the accident, you can (in most instances) still receive benefits.
If your claim is accepted, you can generally receive benefits for things like your medical bills, lost wages, disability, and ongoing care costs. It is best to notify your employer as soon as you can after the accident to get the ball rolling with your claim – but you have up to 30 days from the date of the incident to do so.
What if Workers’ Comp Doesn’t Cover All of My Losses?
Sometimes, a workers’ compensation claim will not be enough to cover every consequence of the accident. For example, you cannot receive compensation for your pain and suffering in a workers’ comp claim.
Oftentimes, pain and suffering and other non-economic damages comprise most of the value of a personal injury claim.
In these instances, it might be in your best interest to file a lawsuit to collect full compensation. However, you cannot generally sue your employer after a workplace accident unless an exception applies, such as when your employer intentionally harmed you.
In most cases, you’ll file a lawsuit against a liable third party. Examples of parties whom you might look to sue will depend on the facts of your case but could include:
- Government agencies
- General contractors
- Motor vehicle drivers
- The manufacturer or seller of a defective product
- Property owners, whether public or private
This is not a complete list; if a third party had a hand in your workplace accident, there’s a chance you have a valid claim for compensation against them. Reach out to Kenny Habetz Injury Law for trusted legal advice today to begin pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents happen across many Louisiana industries, especially in physically demanding jobs common throughout Acadiana.
Common Workplace Accident Causes Include:
- Falls from heights
- Slips and falls
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Vehicle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Offshore injuries
- Crane accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Falling objects
- Defective equipment
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Chemical exposure
Even seemingly minor workplace accidents can lead to long-term medical complications.
Common Workplace Injuries
Workplace accidents often cause serious injuries that prevent workers from returning to their jobs.
Common Workplace Injuries Include:
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Burn injuries
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Hearing loss
- Amputations
- Occupational illnesses
- Wrongful death
Some injured workers require surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, or permanent work restrictions.
How Often Do Fatal Workplace Accidents Occur in Louisiana?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes detailed information regarding fatal occupational injuries across the country, including for Louisiana. The most recent data is from 2019, and some noteworthy figures include:
- 119 total fatal injuries
- 57 transportation-related accidents
- 16 slips, trips, and falls
- 20 due to exposure to harmful contaminants
- 13 due to contact with objects and equipment
The data reflect only fatal workplace accidents, so the total number of incidents is likely much higher than the number listed above. If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal workplace accident, we may be able to help you and your family pursue a monetary award from the responsible party. Call today to discuss your legal options.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Lafayette Workplace Accident Injuries
Employees can suffer a wide range of injuries on the job in Lafayette, depending on their line of work. Some of the more common types of workplace accident injuries we come across include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Leg injuries
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Catastrophic injuries, such as amputations
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Loss of sensory function, such as hearing or vision
Whether or not the injuries you have sustained are mentioned above, our personal injury lawyer can help you every step of the way. Reach out today to schedule your free, no-pressure case evaluation.
What Causes Most Workplace Accidents in Lafayette?
The causes of Lafayette workplace accidents vary greatly, as employees in various fields face unique hazards and conditions that can give rise to injuries. Some of the more prevalent causes are:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Inadequate safety equipment
- Defective machinery and products
- Improper training or hiring procedures
- Hazardous materials and objects
- Overburdened employees
Reach out to Kenny Habetz Injury Law today to speak with our experienced Lafayette workplace accident attorney about your case.
Can I Receive Compensation If I’m Partly at Fault for a Workplace Accident in Lafayette, LA? | Lawyer Explanation
The short answer is that yes, you can. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in Lafayette, Louisiana, meaning you can receive full benefits even if you caused the accident (in most instances).
Even if you need to file a lawsuit to collect adequate compensation, you can still receive a monetary award even if you were partially to blame for the accident.
Louisiana operates under a pure comparative negligence standard, which means your compensation could be reduced based on your percentage of fault. So if you are assigned 25% of the blame, your compensation could be reduced by 25%.
Our legal team will aggressively represent your rights and interests throughout the claims process, ensuring that you aren’t assigned more blame than is fair. Contact us today to learn more.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workplace Accident Claim in Louisiana? | Lawyer Answers
You must notify your employer within 30 days of the workplace accident to file a valid workers’ comp claim. However, we recommend contacting your employer as quickly as possible to avoid any potential issues and delays.
As far as filing the workers’ compensation claim itself, you will have one to three years, depending on the facts of the case and the benefits sought. And regarding a potential third-party lawsuit, you will have two years (effective as of July 1, 2024) under most circumstances. All third-party claims before July 1, 2024 are subject to a one-year statute of limitations.
The deadlines for workplace accident claims can be complex. It is best to consult an experienced attorney to ensure you comply with legal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Injury Claims
Is Workers’ Compensation a No-Fault System? Yes. Louisiana workers’ compensation generally allows injured workers to receive benefits without proving employer negligence.
Can I Sue My Employer for a Workplace Injury? In most situations, workers’ compensation laws limit lawsuits against employers. However, third-party claims may still be available.
What Is a Third-Party Workplace Injury Claim? A third-party claim involves another negligent company or person contributing to the workplace accident.
What Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Compensation? Benefits may include medical treatment, disability payments, wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation.
What Should I Do After a Workplace Accident? You should report the injury immediately, seek medical care, preserve records, and speak with an attorney about your legal rights.
How Long Do I Have to Report a Workplace Injury? Deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances of the claim. Prompt reporting is important to protect eligibility for benefits.
Does Louisiana’s Comparative Fault Law Affect Workplace Injury Claims? It can, in third-party claims. Since July 1, 2024, Louisiana has applied a modified comparative fault rule to negligence-based cases, which can reduce a worker’s recovery if they’re found partly at fault for the accident. This doesn’t apply to standard no-fault workers’ compensation benefits, but it matters in lawsuits against negligent third parties like subcontractors or equipment manufacturers.
Contact Our Trusted Lafayette Workplace Accident Attorney for a Free Case Review
Workplace accidents are rarely easy to contend with. Your employer might dispute your worker’s comp claim, as could the relevant insurance company. And if you have a third-party claim against an additional liable party, they will likely fight tooth and nail to escape paying you the compensation you need.
Instead of worrying about how the legal side of things will play out, consider hiring Kenny Habetz Injury Law. We can take care of every aspect of your claim while you focus on recovering from your workplace accident.
We also work on contingency, so you won’t pay us any fees upfront, and we’ll only receive attorney’s fees if we secure a monetary award for you.
Call us today to schedule your free consultation with our experienced Lafayette workplace accident attorney.
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