Louisiana Workers Compensation Defense Lawyer

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Companies are constantly fighting to maintain thriving businesses with satisfied employees. The need to address workers’ compensation claims in the midst of numerous other challenges can be overwhelming, as well as harmful to the company itself. Employers spend millions of dollars every year settling workers’ compensation claims that might otherwise have been reduced or dismissed with the help of a Louisiana workers’ compensation defense lawyer.

Workers’ Compensation Claims in Louisiana

Workers’ compensation claims can range from slip-and-falls to wrongful death cases. In 2022 in Louisiana, transportation incidents ranked as the most common among the different categories of fatal occupational injuries. The second most common were fatalities resulting from being exposed to harmful environments or substances. Therefore, certain industries are at a greater risk for complex litigation.

Because Louisiana has seven primary highways and six interstates, it is perhaps unsurprising that transportation and material moving occupations are present on the list of fatal occupations. Louisiana has numerous transportation companies, from Dupre Logistics, which was founded in Lafayette and is now headquartered in New Orleans, to AAA Cooper Transportation in Baton Rouge.

Regardless of the type of workers’ compensation claim and the unique circumstances surrounding it, it is important that companies have ways to protect themselves when these claims are filed.

Avoiding Litigation With Alternative Dispute Resolution

At Degan, Blanchard & Nash, our attorneys defend cases involving work-related injury or disease, from the most minor to the most severe. While the workers’ compensation courts prefer to settle disputes through mediation, there are cases which require litigation. This is when a work-related legal dispute moves to the courts and a workers’ compensation lawyer is required. Before this, however, a legal professional can attempt alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

While ADR is not always a suitable route, it is one way to help prevent complicated litigation and drawn-out court battles and reduce legal fees. Keeping suits from going to court can reduce negative media coverage and help preserve a company’s reputation. Our legal team has experience in both mediation and in arbitration, which are both alternative dispute resolution tactics. We can determine whether these approaches are appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Mediation involves a third-party mediator who works to facilitate discussions and agreements between disputing parties. In arbitration, each party makes their case to an arbitrator, who then makes a decision. Arbitration is binding, unlike mediation.

A skillful legal professional can evaluate when ADR may be effective versus when it is appropriate to build a strong defense strategy and prepare for the courtroom. Having a workers’ compensation lawyer who is comfortable with both approaches can only benefit your case outcome, as it gives you more tools to reach a desired outcome.

Navigating Louisiana’s Court Systems

As an employer, it can be difficult and tedious to address workers’ compensation claims filed against you. Our attorneys are familiar with the complexities involved and are prepared to provide you with advice and/or a defense. Workers’ compensation cases often involve complex jurisdictional concerns stemming from distinct state and federal systems. Additionally, Louisiana differs from the other 49 states in that its laws do not come from common law.

With decades of combined experience and offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette, our team can work confidently within the Louisiana legal system. Our attorneys are well versed in the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and its extensions, including:

  • The Defense Base Act
  • The Outer Continental Lands Act
  • The Jones Act.

The law firm is a member of the prestigious International Society of Primerus law firms (Defense Litigation Group) and the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network, organizations which are dedicated to the highest standard of integrity, credibility, and quality of work product.

What to Expect From Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Degan, Blanchard & Nash represents private and public sector employers in all aspects of a workers’ compensation claims. Our goal is to provide practical and proactive legal advice; diligently manage accepted claims to reduce liability; employ results-oriented negotiations skills to properly resolve controverted cases; minimize defense costs and achieve finality. We can work with clients to align our goals with their priorities, working toward mutual satisfaction.

In those cases which cannot be resolved by compromise settlement, the firm aggressively and effectively defends our clients before the Office of Workers’ Compensation and in the appellate courts. Having part of our team specifically dedicated to appellate practice allows our firm to offer quality support during the appeals process as well. Being effectively represented can mean better results and less stress for you, leaving you to run your business as usual.

Our legal representation involves counseling, litigation, and arbitration at all levels of state and federal trial and appellate courts. Our attorneys defend our clients’ interests not only in Louisiana but also in federal and state courts around the country, as well as provide our clients with workers’ compensation opinions and advice for claims pending throughout the country. Our team brings in-depth experience and knowledge of Louisiana’s laws, courts, and legal solutions.

Working With Degan, Blanchard & Nash

When you choose Degan, Blanchard & Nash, your case becomes our priority. We help you find solutions for your problems. Our representation of your interests are always measured. This necessarily encompasses the close involvement of the partner responsible for the case in all aspects of the litigation or claims process, while permitting the economic utilization of an associate or paralegal for work of a less intensive nature.

We are recognized by the clients for the value of our legal counsel and for our innovative and aggressive advocacy. The talent of our attorneys partnered with the vision of the clients we serve is what creates the world-class product for which our firm is consistently known. Our number one goal is a satisfied client – you. Reach out to our team today to discuss how we can support you throughout your legal case.