Ruston, LA Workers' Comp Lawyer

If you were hurt at work in Ruston or anywhere in Lincoln Parish, you have a right to workers' compensation benefits for your medical care and part of your lost wages. Getting those benefits paid on time is another matter. Bruscato Law Firm represents injured workers from our Ruston office on West Alabama Avenue, close to downtown and Louisiana Tech.

We have handled workers' compensation claims across North Louisiana for years. You can read more about how the system works on our Louisiana workers’ compensation page, or keep reading for what matters most if you were hurt in Ruston.

What Workers' Comp Should Pay For

• Medical care: doctor visits, surgery, therapy, prescriptions and mileage to appointments.
• Weekly wage benefits: generally two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you cannot work, up to the state maximum.
• Supplemental earnings benefits: if you can go back to work but earn less than before.
• Permanent disability benefits: if the injury permanently limits you.
• Death benefits: for the families of workers killed on the job.

Injured Workers We Help in Lincoln Parish

Ruston and the surrounding area mix manufacturing, timber, trucking and a large university. We help:

• Manufacturing and plant workers hurt by machinery, falls or repetitive strain.
• Timber and logging workers injured in the woods or on the road between job sites.
• Truck and delivery drivers hurt in wrecks on I-20 or US 167.
• Construction workers injured on commercial and campus building projects.
• University, healthcare and service employees hurt in falls or lifting accidents.

Why Claims Get Denied or Cut Off

Most workers' comp problems start with the insurance company, not the employer. The most common ones we see are:

• The insurer says the injury did not happen at work or was a pre-existing condition.
• Weekly checks stop after the insurer's doctor says you can return to light duty.
• Surgery, an MRI or a specialist referral is denied as "not medically necessary."
• The injury was reported late, or the report left out important details.
• Your average weekly wage was calculated too low, which shrinks every check.

If the insurer disputes your claim, it is decided by a workers' compensation judge with the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation, not a jury. The insurance company will have a lawyer at that hearing. You should too.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury

1. Report it in writing. Tell your supervisor as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days. Keep a copy.
2. Get medical care. Tell every provider the injury happened at work.
3. Write down what happened. Note the date, time, place, witnesses and the equipment involved.
4. Be careful with recorded statements. You do not have to give the insurer a recorded statement before talking to a lawyer.
5. Call us. We can tell you quickly whether your benefits are being paid correctly.

When a Third Party Is to Blame

A workers' comp claim does not pay for pain and suffering. But if your injury was caused by someone other than your employer, such as a driver who hit your work truck, a contractor on a shared job site or a defective machine, you may also have a personal injury claim against that party. We look for those claims in every case, because they can make a large difference. The comp insurer is usually repaid out of that recovery, and we handle that negotiation for you.

We also handle workers' comp claims from our Monroe office.

Recent Results for Our Clients

• $5,205,616, Workplace fall: A construction worker fell 18 feet from a bridge job, suffering a spinal fracture with paralysis, a skull fracture and two broken wrists.
• $900,000, Workplace machinery injury: A mill worker's hand was caught in a machine, and the crush injury led to amputation.

See more on our case results page.

Past results are not a guarantee of future success. Every case is different, and the result in any case depends on its own facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in Louisiana?

You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days. If no benefits have been paid, a formal claim generally must be filed within one year of the accident. If weekly benefits were paid and then stopped, you generally have one year from the last payment, and medical benefits can run up to three years from the last medical payment. Injuries that develop over time follow different rules, so get advice early.

Can I choose my own doctor?

Yes. Louisiana law lets you choose one treating physician in each field or specialty, without needing the employer's approval. The insurer can send you to its own doctor for an evaluation, but that doctor does not replace your choice.

How much does workers' comp pay while I'm off work?

Temporary total disability benefits are generally two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum set by the state each year. Medical treatment that is reasonable and necessary for the work injury should be paid in full.

Can I sue someone other than my employer?

Often, yes. Workers' comp is usually your only remedy against your employer, but if another company, driver, property owner or equipment maker caused the injury, you may have a separate third-party claim that can pay for pain and suffering and full lost earnings.

Can I be fired for filing a workers' comp claim?

Louisiana law prohibits an employer from firing you because you asserted a workers' comp claim. If that happens, tell us right away.

What does a Ruston workers' comp lawyer cost?

Nothing up front. Workers' comp attorney fees in Louisiana are limited by law and are paid only out of benefits we recover. The consultation is free.

Talk to a Ruston Workers' Comp Lawyer

The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Call our Ruston office at (318) 501-8173 or send us a message and we will get back to you quickly.

Bruscato Law Firm, Ruston office
308 W Alabama Ave, Suite 2, Ruston, LA 71270
Phone: (318) 501-8173
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturday by appointment.

This page is general information about Louisiana law, not legal advice. Every case is different, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.