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When a workplace injury threatens your income and your health, experienced Houma workers' compensation lawyers can help you fight for the benefits you deserve.
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages for employees who are hurt or become ill because of their jobs. You do not have to prove that your employer was at fault. What matters is that the injury happened while you were doing your job.
Whether you work on a shipyard along the bayou, inside a manufacturing plant, or out on an offshore platform, Louisiana law is designed to help you get back on your feet. Understanding how the workers' compensation system works and what steps to take after a workplace injury can make a real difference in your recovery.
Why Choose Ory Law Group for Your Houma Workers’ Comp Claim?
When a workplace injury disrupts your life, having the right legal team matters. Ory Law Group serves the hardworking people of Houma with the kind of personal attention that larger firms often overlook. Founded by Matthew Ory, a Louisiana attorney whose approach is built on discipline and a genuine desire to help his neighbors, the firm brings more than 15 years of legal experience to every case.
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No fees until we win your injury case. You pay nothing upfront, and you owe nothing unless your case results in a recovery.
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Free consultations and 24/7 availability. Your questions deserve answers on your schedule, not just during business hours.
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A client-centered approach. Every case receives individualized attention because no two injuries and no two workers are exactly alike.
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Millions recovered for injury victims. Ory Law Group has a proven track record of delivering meaningful results for Louisiana families.
From the Terrebonne Parish Courthouse to the industries that keep this region running, Ory Law Group knows the landscape and is prepared to fight for the benefits you deserve.
How Workers' Compensation Works in Louisiana
Louisiana's workers' compensation system is governed by the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Law (La. R.S. 23:1020.1 et seq.), which outlines the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees. The purpose of this law is to make sure that injured workers receive timely payment of disability benefits, coverage of medical expenses, and support in returning to the workforce.
Nearly every employer in Louisiana that has at least one employee must carry workers' compensation insurance. That includes small businesses, large corporations, and companies that use subcontractors. The trade-off is straightforward: employees receive benefits without having to go to court and prove negligence, and employers are generally protected from personal injury lawsuits by their workers.
Workers' compensation in Louisiana is sometimes called a "no-fault" system. This means you can qualify for benefits whether the accident was caused by your employer, a coworker, a piece of equipment, or simply an unexpected event on the job. There are very few exceptions, such as injuries caused by intoxication or intentional self-harm.
For claims filed between September 2025 and August 2026, weekly wage replacement benefits range from a minimum of $234 per week to a maximum of $877 per week, based on the state's average weekly wage. The actual amount you receive depends on your own earnings before the injury.
Benefits Available Through a Houma Workers' Comp Claim
One of the most common questions workers have after an injury is, "What am I actually entitled to?" Louisiana workers' compensation benefits are designed to address the financial strain that comes with being unable to work.
Medical Expense Coverage
Workers' compensation should cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury. This includes hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and follow-up visits. Louisiana law also provides mileage reimbursement for travel to medical appointments, set at $0.725 per mile as of January 2026.
Wage Replacement Benefits
If your injury keeps you from working, you may be entitled to indemnity benefits that replace a portion of your lost wages. Louisiana recognizes several categories:
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Temporary Total Disability (TTD): paid when you are completely unable to work while recovering
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Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB): paid when you can return to work but earn less than 90% of your pre-injury wages
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Permanent Total Disability: paid when a worker is permanently unable to perform any type of employment
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Permanent Partial Disability: paid for the loss of use of a specific body part, such as a hand or foot
The type of wage benefit you receive depends on the severity of your injury and how it affects your ability to earn a living.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If your injury prevents you from returning to the same type of work you did before, workers' compensation may cover vocational rehabilitation services, including job retraining, education, and placement assistance.
Death Benefits
When a workplace accident results in the loss of life, the worker's dependents may be entitled to death benefits that help cover funeral expenses and provide ongoing financial support. A Houma workers' compensation lawyer can review your situation and help identify every form of support you may be eligible to receive.
Common Workplace Injuries in the Houma Area
Houma sits at the heart of Terrebonne Parish, a region where the economy depends on industries that carry real physical risks. From the shipbuilding yards operated by companies like Bollinger Shipyards to the offshore energy operations that send workers out into the Gulf, the jobs that keep this community thriving can also be some of the most dangerous.
Some of the most frequently reported workplace injuries in Houma and the surrounding Bayou Region include:
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Slips, trips, and falls on wet or uneven surfaces
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Injuries from heavy machinery or equipment malfunctions
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Burns and chemical exposure from industrial materials
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Repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
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Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries from heavy lifting
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Hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud environments
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Respiratory conditions caused by inhaling harmful dust, fumes, or chemicals
These injuries can range from temporary setbacks to life-altering conditions. Regardless of severity, Louisiana law provides a path to benefits for workers who are hurt while performing their job duties.
What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Houma
Once you are home and stable after a workplace injury, there are several important steps you should take to protect both your health and your legal rights.
Once you are home and stable after a workplace injury, there are several important steps you should take to protect both your health and your legal rights.
Report the Injury to Your Employer
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes 23:1301, you must notify your employer of your injury within 30 days. This notice should ideally be in writing and include details about when, where, and how the injury happened.
Missing this deadline could put your entire claim at risk. Your employer is then required to file a First Report of Injury with the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation within 10 days.
Follow Through with Medical Treatment
Keep every medical appointment and follow your doctor's treatment plan. Consistent medical records serve as some of the strongest evidence in a workers' compensation claim.
Document Everything
Save copies of any paperwork related to your injury, including medical records, prescription receipts, correspondence with your employer or the insurance company, and notes about how your injury affects your daily life.
Talk to a Workers' Comp Lawyer in Houma
The workers' compensation process involves strict deadlines, specific forms, and negotiations with insurance adjusters whose job is to minimize payouts. Speaking with a Houma workers' compensation attorney early can help you avoid mistakes that could reduce or eliminate your benefits.
Deadlines That Can Affect Your Houma, LA Workers' Compensation Claim
Time limits, known in Louisiana as "prescriptive periods," play a critical role in workers' compensation cases. Missing a deadline can permanently bar you from receiving the benefits you need.
The most important deadlines are the 30-day window to report your injury to your employer and the general one-year prescriptive period for filing a formal claim with the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation. Exceptions exist. If your injury did not immediately cause a disability, the one-year period may start from the date the injury first prevented you from working.
For occupational diseases, the deadline may begin when you first become aware that the condition is related to your job. However, no claim may be filed more than three years from the date of the original accident in these situations.
Because these deadlines interact with each other in complex ways, it is important to speak with an attorney who understands the specific prescriptive periods that apply to your case.
When Workers' Compensation Claims Get Denied
Not every workers' compensation claim goes smoothly. Insurance companies may deny or dispute claims for a variety of reasons, including disputes over whether the injury is truly work-related, allegations that a pre-existing condition is the real cause, claims that the employee failed to report the injury on time, and disagreements about the extent of the disability.
If your claim has been denied, you have the right to challenge that decision. Louisiana law allows injured workers to request mediation, where a neutral third party helps facilitate a resolution. If mediation does not resolve the dispute, the case can proceed to a formal hearing before a workers' compensation judge, and decisions can be appealed to the Louisiana Circuit Court of Appeals.
Having a Houma workers' compensation lawyer on your side during a disputed claim can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.
Third-Party Claims: When Workers' Comp Is Not the Only Option
In some situations, a person other than your direct employer may share responsibility for your workplace injury. This is common in industries where multiple companies operate on the same job site, which happens regularly on Houma-area construction projects, industrial plants, and offshore rigs.
If a third party, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, contributed to the conditions that caused your injury, you may be able to file a separate personal injury claim. Unlike workers' compensation, a personal injury claim can recover damages for pain and suffering, which is not available through the workers' comp system alone.
A workers' compensation lawyer in Houma who also handles personal injury cases can evaluate your options and help you pursue every available source of recovery.
Get the Help You Deserve from Our Houma Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
A workplace injury can change your life in an instant, and the stress of dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and an uncertain future can feel heavy. Ory Law Group is here to stand beside the workers of Houma who need strong, compassionate legal support.
With a commitment to personal attention, a no-fee-unless-we-win promise, and a deep understanding of Louisiana workers' compensation law, Ory Law Group is ready to fight for the benefits you have earned. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call us anytime, day or night, and let us help you take the first step toward recovery.
FAQs for Houma Workers' Compensation Lawyers
Louisiana law allows employers to require that you see a doctor they select, in addition to your own physician. This is different from many other states. Your employer's chosen physician will conduct an examination, but you still have the right to seek treatment from a provider you trust.
Louisiana law requires nearly every employer with one or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Employers who fail to do so face civil penalties and possible criminal charges. You may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against an uninsured employer, which could result in a larger recovery than a standard workers' comp claim.
Yes. Louisiana's workers' compensation system covers occupational diseases and injuries that develop gradually over time due to the nature of your work. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic back pain from repeated heavy lifting, and hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure can all qualify.
In most cases, yes. Because Louisiana workers' compensation is a no-fault system, benefits are generally available regardless of who caused the accident. Exceptions exist for injuries caused by intoxication, intentional self-harm, or being the initial aggressor in a workplace altercation.
Louisiana law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who file workers' compensation claims. If your employer fires you, demotes you, or takes other negative actions because you exercised your legal rights, you may have grounds for a separate legal claim.
Workers' compensation in Louisiana does not include compensation for pain and suffering. These non-economic damages may only be available through a separate personal injury claim, such as a third-party lawsuit against someone other than your employer who contributed to your injury.
Blog posts
Workers’ Comp Insurance Claim Practice Areas
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Construction Site Injuries
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Manufacturing and Industrial Accidents
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Repetitive Stress Injuries
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Exposure to Hazardous Conditions
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Denied or Delayed Workers’ Comp Claims
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Long-Term Disability Benefit Claims
Areas we serve
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and surrounding areas
Other Practice Areas
Got in touch with Matt regarding a scary situation that happened over the weekend. My wife and I were unsure how to proceed and unsure of the next steps. He responded almost immediately, put our fears at ease, and assured us that he was there to help should anything transpire further. Matt was extremely informative, caring, and honest while at the same time serious, professional, and 100% on top of his game. We are extremely grateful!
- John W.
Matt’s outstanding hard work, confidence, and representation speak for themselves from the first moment you step foot in his office until the very last court hearing. His passion and drive make you feel as though there’s an entire army behind you. Thank you, Matt, from the bottom of my heart, for being so savage. If you need a total beast in your corner, call Matt Ory!
- Kensi D.
Matt Ory was a beacon of light in helping a member of our family when our options seemed slim. He calmed our fears and addressed all of our concerns with great care. While he was extremely professional throughout the process, he was easy to talk to and made us feel very comfortable.
- Holly D.