Dedicated To Helping Injured People

Dedicated To Helping Injured
People

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Louisiana ranks second highest for worker safety

On Behalf of | Feb 8, 2019 | Firm News

Louisiana continues to be one of the safest states for workers. According to a Bureau of Labor statistics survey, in 2017, there were only 1.9 work accidents per 100 full-time employees in Louisiana. The national average is 2.8 incidents per 100 employees.

Louisiana is second only to D.C.

Of the 41 states that participate in data collection, only the District of Columbia has fewer work-related injuries or illnesses. The state has also seen worker injuries consistently decrease over the last 16 years.

Workforce Commission will work toward zero injuries

Ava Dejoie, the Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary, called the state one of the safest to do business and said worker safety is due to awareness by business leaders and organizations throughout the state. She also stated the commission would continue to push for even greater safety for workers and would not rest “until there are zero on-the-job accidents.”

Strains, sprains and tears are the most common injuries

The most common injuries Louisiana workers suffer are sprains, strains and tears to hips, legs and toes. These injuries were caused by contact with objects or equipment.

For workers, that means tripping over items on the floor or walkway. It can also mean catching lower extremities in equipment, whether on the factory floor or in the office.

Injured workers are entitled to compensation

However, serious and even fatal workplace injuries do still occur in Louisiana. If you were injured while on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits include compensation for any needed medical care or rehabilitation. You are also entitled to partial compensation for your lost wages.

If your work injury was caused by someone’s else negligence, you may have a personal injury case against that third party. This could include a case against the manufacturer of faulty machinery, a driver who crashed into you while you were on the job or another employee that caused your injury. Determining if you have a third-party injury claim is complex, so you may want to seek the assistance of an attorney who can examine your case closely.