Louisiana Workers Compensation Lawyer David Buie

I'm a Louisiana Workers Compensation lawyer. My practice is dedicated to helping people with work-related injuries throughout Louisiana recover the benefits they should receive from Louisiana Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability.

Do you want to make sure you're being treated fairly by the insurance company?
Do you want to maximize the amount you receive from the settlement of your Louisiana Workers Compensation claim?
Are you worried about how your Louisiana Workers Compensation claim is progressing?
Do you believe you should qualify for both Louisiana Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability?
Do you want to know how your benefits or settlement might impact your right to get Social Security, Medicare, health insurance or a new job?

We work hard to make this website the best source of information about Louisiana Workers Compensation claims. But if you don't find the answers to your questions or you need information that's specific to your case, call me at (800) 851-9405 or send an email to schedule a telephone discussion about your claim.

The telephone consultation is free.

TEMPORARY TOTAL DISABILITY

If you’re temporarily totally disabled and unable to do any type of work, you should receive Louisiana Workers Compensation weekly benefits of up to two-thirds of the wages that you were earning when your disability began. Your benefits should be based upon your full income, which sometimes even includes taxable fringe benefits or wages from a second job.

You should receive your first Louisiana Workers Compensation payment within 14 days after you provide your employer with medical documentation showing that you're unable to work and your employer may owe you a penalty payment if your benefits are not started on time. You should continue to receive weekly benefits until you receive a valid medical release to return to work, frequent medical treatment is no longer needed and the extent of any long-term disability can be determined.

SUPPLEMENTAL EARNINGS BENEFITS

If you can return to work, but your medical condition prevents you from earning at least 90% of the income you were earning at the time of your accident, you should receive Supplemental Earnings Benefits (often called “SEB”). These monthly benefits should equal two-thirds of the difference between what you were earning at the time of your injury and what you are currently able to earn.

PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY

You may receive Permanent Partial Disability benefits even if your injury did not cause you to miss significant time off of work. A Permanent Partial Disability rating allows you to receive guaranteed minimum Louisiana Workers Compensation income benefits for many specific injuries, including hearing or vision loss, scarring, or damage to your extremities, such as losing a finger or permanent numbness in your legs.

PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY

You should receive Permanent Total Disability benefits if the Louisiana Workers Compensation Court determines that you will be unable to perform any type of work for the rest of your life. To qualify, you must provide the Judge with very convincing medical and vocational evidence.

CASH SETTLEMENT

You may be able to settle your case and receive a single cash payment to compensate you for your loss of earning capacity, future medical expenses and permanent disability. We can help you maximize your benefits, determine the full value of your claim and negotiate the settlement of your Louisiana Workers Compensation case.

MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR INJURED EMPLOYEES

Louisiana Workers Compensation insurance companies often ignore or deny requests for medical treatment. In fact, their refusal to authorize medical treatment is one of the most common reasons people call us for help with their claim. We can get a prompt response to your doctors orders for tests, medication or surgery. If your treatment is denied, we can ask the Louisiana Workers Compensation Court to overrule the insurance company and order the treatment your doctor requested. In addition to paying for hospitalization and physician expenses, Louisiana Workers Compensation should also cover the cost of prescription medication, physical therapy, psychological counseling, medical devices and travel expenses for medical treatment.

SELECTING YOUR TREATING PHYSICIAN

The Louisiana Workers Compensation Act allows you to select one treating physician in each medical specialty and you’re not required to pick your doctors from a list prepared by your employer or their insurer. You also have the right to talk with a lawyer before authorizing the release of your medical records or undergoing any tests or surgery. Your Louisiana Workers Compensation attorney should handle all contacts with the insurance company, including all conversations with the claims adjuster, medical case manager, vocational rehabilitation expert and the insurance company’s lawyer.

WORKERS COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL SECURITY

You can receive Louisiana Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability at the same time, up to a combined benefit of 80% or more of the income you were earning before you became disabled. For some people, their Social Security Disability benefit payment is much higher than their Louisiana Workers Compensation benefit rate. Social Security Disability also includes annual “cost of living” increases and may pay additional benefits for your spouse and children. While Louisiana Workers Compensation benefits are often disputed and are rarely paid at their full rate for more than few years, people who qualify for Social Security Disability often receive those benefits for the rest of their lives. If you have a serious work-related injury or illness, qualifying for and coordinating your Louisiana Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability benefits can be a very important step.

It’s especially important to consult a Louisiana Workers Compensation lawyer if you plan to settle your claim. The terms of your Louisiana Workers Compensation settlement can have a huge impact upon the amount of Social Security benefits you receive and the degree to which Medicare will cover your future medical expenses.

I represent people throughout Louisiana in Workers Compensation and Social Security claims and can provide you with the legal help you need to qualify for the benefits you deserve. Contact my office toll-free at (800) 851-9405 or by email for a free consultation today.