If you have been injured on the job in Metairie, Louisiana, you are probably wondering how much you can get in compensation.

Most employers in Louisiana are required to have workers' compensation insurance covering all full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees (and potentially some contractors). Some employers may be approved to self-insure.

What Injuries Are Covered?

Physical injuries are always covered. Mental injuries are covered if they are the result of a physical injury or a specific stressful incident. In other words, general burnout is not covered, but PTSD from someone breaking into your workplace with a gun would be.

What Does Compensation Cover?

Workers' compensation covers medical expenses and "indemnity benefits," which includes lost income. This does not prevent you from claiming disability benefits as long as you claim within one year of the last payment of indemnity benefits. You can also get reimbursed for mileage to doctors' appointments.

You may be able to settle your claim for a lump sum or other compromise if all parties and the Workers' Compensation Judge agree.

Workers' compensation also covers vocational rehabilitation services if you are unable to return to your old job and can't quickly get a new job with the same wages.

If a worker dies on the job or dies from related causes within two years, death benefits are paid to surviving legal dependents and up to $8,500 in burial expenses.

How Much Can I Get From Workers' Compensation?

Your compensation is based on the following factors:

• The cost of medical treatment
• The wages you earned before being injured
• The severity of your injury

If you are unable to do any kind of work, you may gain temporary total disability benefits, which are two-thirds of your average weekly wage, with a minimum of 20% of the statewide average and maximum of 75% of the same. These benefits continue until you no longer need medical treatment and are either cleared to return to work or diagnosed with a permanent disability. However, if you do any work, including a side hustle, you're only eligible for supplemental earnings benefits at two-thirds of the difference between what you were earning and what you are owed.

You are eligible for permanent total disability if you are left permanently unable to work, or permanent partial disability if you can't return to your old job or, for example, are no longer able to work full time.

Again, the amount you receive depends on how badly you were hurt and how much you made before you were injured. However, workers' comp always covers the full costs of medical treatment, including mileage/transportation.

If you are having problems getting your workers' compensation claim paid, or there is a dispute about the amount, Schwartz Law Firm can help.