A workers’ compensation claim does not always stem from a specific accident. You could develop an illness from repeatedly breathing harmful chemicals on the job. You could develop a disabling injury over time, such as carpal tunnel, from repetitive motions or other working conditions.
Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment, and to take care of workers who become sick or injured just from doing their job. But occupational disease claims are routinely challenged. With offices in Metairie and Baton Rouge, the legal team at Schwartz Law Firm LLC is ready to back you up, in court if necessary.
The Louisiana Workers’ Compensation statute specifically states that workers who have an occupational disease are covered the same as workers who have suffered a personal injury by accident at work.
Occupational diseases fall into two categories:
As the employee, you have the burden of proving that you are disabled from working and showing reasonable grounds that the disease resulted from working conditions. This is definitely the type of claim where you need a lawyer on your side.
Employers and their insurers may deny there was any toxic exposure or refute that your job duties could have caused the injury. They may argue that you have a pre-existing condition or that you were not hurt at work. Our lawyers are skilled at demonstrating the workplace exposure and medical causation aspects of such claims.
Call us today at our law offices in Baton Rouge or Metairie, at 504-837-2263 . We are available 24/7 by phone or you can contact us online. We are here to help people like you secure the full and fair workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
Schwartz Law Firm was founded by Christopher Schwartz in 1997. After obtaining his MBA and law degrees, Christopher Schwartz served as a Workers Compensation claims adjuster. This experience gave him a view of the system from the inside and inspired him to begin his own practice. Christopher Schwartz has successfully represented many injured employees in Longshore claims, Jones Act claims, and Personal Injury claims. He is a tough negotiator, whose track record includes multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Chris has also authored a book titled “The Road to Justice”. In his book, Chris outlines how he and his colleagues fight for public safety and what role his clients can play in winning their own personal injury cases. Chris is a native of New Orleans and has practiced law in Louisiana for 14 years. As a result, he understands local laws and feels a special loyalty to local people. He takes every case personally. Chris is available to represent clients anywhere in Louisiana and Maritime clients anywhere in the Gulf South. But he is also qualified to represent Defense Base Act clients anywhere in the world outside the U.S. He also focuses on auto accidents, semi-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents and slip & fall accidents.