Lafayette Work Accident Lawyers

You Deserve a Safe Work Environment

From industrial worksites to office jobs to work that takes you offshore, our careers take up huge portions of our lives. Tragically, this means that for thousands, these job sites also become the location of life-altering accidents and injuries. At Arnold & Itkin, we’re dedicated advocates for those who’ve been seriously hurt while on the job. We have been there to help countless individuals throughout the years, representing the rights of workers who suffer personal injuries, as well as families who’ve lost a loved one to a fatal workplace accident.

If you have been injured in a work-related accident, we’re here to help:

The Most Common OSHA Infractions

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was founded in 1971 to help ensure that workers were given the benefit of a safe work environment. Though the organization has helped to improve the safety of the workplace, they are unable to keep up with the size of the American economy. Only a little over 2,000 OSHA inspectors must inspect over 8 million job sites in the United States, and employers frequently take advantage of that fact and neglect safety.

In 2016, OSHA reported that 5,190 workers died while working in the private sector. To reduce the daily fatality rate, OSHA has identified the 10 most common citations that companies receive. By doing so, OSHA hopes to encourage a proactive response on the parts of employers who may not realize the dangers of their work environments.

The top 10 infractions seen by OSHA are the following:

If these hazards were given the attention that they deserve, the well-being of every American worker would be improved. Unfortunately, despite being warned of dangers, neglectful employers still ignore these issues. As a result, workers unfairly pay for their company’s neglect with catastrophic injury and death.

Compensation for Work Injuries in Lafayette, LA

Workers who are injured on the job are entitled to benefits from worker’s comp insurance. Louisiana requires employers to carry no-fault workers’ compensation insurance that provides compensation for medical care, lost wages, and other benefits. No-fault insurance means that the benefits must be provided regardless of whether the employee or employer is at fault for the injury.

However, workers’ compensation claims may not always be the best option for injured employees. If an employer’s negligence caused an injury, it may be better to pursue them in civil court. Doing so allows injured workers to claim compensation for the loss of future income, future care, and other long-term needs workers' comp doesn't provide for. Hiring an experienced Lafayette work accident attorney will help ensure that an employer will be held responsible for their negligent behavior and will provide for your long-term needs.

Work Accident Claims in Lafayette: Filing Deadlines & More

If a worker is injured while doing their job, they are entitled to no-fault workers' compensation in Louisiana. However, serious injuries in Lafayette may require litigation outside of workers' compensation. Excessive medical bills and wages lost from being unable to work can make a lawsuit the best option for injured workers.

In Louisiana, a person has one year from the date of their injury to file an injury claim against an employer, equipment manufacturer, or third-party contractor. This makes contacting a lawyer as soon as possible a crucial step towards recovery. If you are making a claim against an employer or insurer, a lawyer can ensure you are getting a fair offer for your needs. If your case is serious enough to require litigation, a lawyer will guide you through every step of the legal process..

Lafayette Construction Accident Attorneys

Many do not realize that construction workers work under the most dangerous circumstances in the United States. Large machinery, heights, and heavy materials are just a few of the hazards construction workers face daily. In fact, recent data collected by the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration reveals that 1 out of 5 deaths in the private sector happens to a construction worker. This means that, of the 4,693 worker deaths in 2016, 991 of them was statistically a person in the construction industry.

THE FATAL FOUR

OSHA data reveals that construction accidents have predictable causes. This means that employers have no excuse when an accident occurs at their worksite. According to OSHA, four major sources cause 63 percent of construction fatalities, or wrongful deaths. Sadly, if employers were more diligent with protecting working from these well-known hazards, 624 workers that died in 2016 might still be alive today.

Known as the Fatal Four, these causes are the following:

• Falls (38.7%)
• Struck by Object (9.4%)
• Electrocutions (8.3%)
• Caught-in/between (7.3%)

Other Lafayette-Area Construction Accidents

Not all accidents are fatal. However, injuries sustained from construction accidents are often traumatic and life-changing. Construction sites contain a variety of dangerous hazards known to cause serious injuries.

Employers must protect workers from the following hazards:

Spotlight on Crane Accidents

One of the most destructive types of accidents at construction sites involve cranes. In fact, about two out of every three crane accidents occur in the construction industry. Crane accidents make headlines because of their spectacular and tragic nature. Our Lafayette crane accident lawyers work with survivors long after the headlines clear to make sure they have the financial means to move on after the incident.

The common causes of crane accidents include:

What Happens After Work-Related Deaths?

If your loved one was killed during a work-related accident, it's time to call Arnold & Itkin. Families who losr a loved one due to a wrongful death at work deserve answers. Our Lafayette work death lawyers are ready to help your family find justice and a path forward after losing so much. While nothing can change what happened, we're ready to relentlessly fight on your behalf to make sure the people who caused your suffering are held accountable.

Our Lafayette work death lawyers can help recover losses such as:

• Funeral expenses
• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of consortium

About Lafayette

Located in southern Louisiana and widely known as the heart of Cajun & Creole Country, Lafayette has been referred to as the “Happiest City in America.” The area was settled by Acadians who were expelled from Canada in the 18th century. It was founded as Vermilionville in 1821 and renamed Lafayette in 1884. The city is named after General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette (commonly known as Lafayette), who played an integral role in the American Revolutionary War, commanding American troops in several battles. He was also a primary figure in the French Revolution.

Lafayette was initially established as an agricultural community, but in the 1940s it transitioned into a key player in Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. The economy also diversified, branching out into such industries as healthcare and social services, banking, retail, and technology. Today, Lafayette’s economy is diverse and strong; in 2019, Forbes ranked the city as one of the best places for businesses and careers. Its low cost of living also makes Lafayette a desirable city for individuals and families alike.

Lafayette is the seat of Lafayette Parish, and the top employers in the area are Ochsner Lafayette General, the Lafayette Parish School System, Wood Group Production Services, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Walmart, Schlumberger, and WHC. Companies with main offices and headquarters in the Lafayette area include Amazon, Albertsons, JP Morgan Chase, CGI, Brookshire Grocery Company, and others. The Mall of Acadiana has also been a source of employment and economic stimulation for Lafayette and Lafayette Parish. The unemployment rate in Lafayette was 3.2% as of May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

As of July 2021, the population of Lafayette was 121,771, just a slight increase from the April 2010 estimate of 120,623. The U.S. Census Bureau also reported that 63.4% of the city’s population (aged 16 or older) was a part of the civilian workforce in 2021. Lafayette covers a total land area of 55.82 square miles.

Lafayette, LA Links & Resources

Arnold & Itkin Has a History of Getting Results for Workers

At Arnold & Itkin, our attorneys will fight for the best possible outcome of your work accident. Our firm has a history of settlements and verdicts totaling in the billions of dollars. We have a history of helping workers in Lafayette win the recovery they deserve. In fact, we won the largest single-event personal injury verdict in Louisiana history.

When you choose Arnold & Itkin, you will receive the care and attention that you need during difficult times. We take pride in providing the thorough service that injured people need. Our lawyers will apply our considerable resources, experience, and skill to your case, fighting for maximum compensation to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and any pain and suffering experienced because of your injuries. We've taken the same approach to rebuild hundreds of lives; let us fight to do the same for you.

Call our Lafayette work injury attorneys today to begin your recovery. Call F:P:Sub:Phone} for a free consultation. Our clients don’t pay any fees unless we win results.