Shreveport Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Trusted Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Shreveport, LA

When an injury keeps someone from earning a living at the same time their medical bills and other expenses are mounting, it can create substantial financial pressure. A Shreveport workers’ compensation lawyer can explain the claims process to injured employees, help with disputed benefits, and determine what information might be needed to support a claim.

While the workforce in Shreveport spreads across Caddo Parish and beyond, employees may work downtown, near I-20 and I-49, near Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, close to Shreveport Regional Airport, or in commercial zones near Youree Drive. Wherever an injury occurs, the medical bills and lost wages can affect a worker for weeks or months afterward.

Experience Serving Injured Workers in Shreveport

Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates is led by Attorney Jacqueline Scott, who has been practicing law for more than 35 years. Combined, the firm’s staff has 75 years of experience. Jacqueline A. Scott has secured multimillion-dollar settlements for her clients and has been named to SB Magazine’s Lawyers Poll multiple times.

With extensive experience helping clients and using modern technology, Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates assists injured workers in Shreveport and throughout northwest Louisiana. The firm also handles Personal Injury matters involving Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation, Car Accident, and Truck Accident claims.

The Severity of Workplace Injuries in Shreveport

Workplace injuries can temporarily limit what tasks an employee can perform or cause permanent injuries that make it difficult to return to work. Employees who are injured on the job need to know about their legal rights and options moving forward. Related matters may include Workplace Accident, Product Liability, Oil & Gas Injury, and Construction Injury claims.

The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 96 fatal occupational injuries in Louisiana in 2024. The fatal work injury rate was 5.1 deaths per 100,000 full- time- equivalent workers, down from 5.6 in 2023. Nationwide, there were 5,070 fatal work injuries reported during 2024. Keep in mind that these statistics only reflect fatalities and do not account for the many workplace accidents that result in nonfatal injuries.

The risk of injury also varies depending on the type of work performed. Employees on a construction site may deal with falls from heights, heavy equipment, power tools, and vehicles. Transportation workers spend a lot of time on highways and roads like I-20, I-49, and I-220. Health care employees can suffer lifting injuries or hazardous exposure. Warehouse and manufacturing workers may be injured by machinery or physical injuries from repetitive tasks. Severe workplace incidents can also involve Brain & Spinal Cord Injury, Wrongful Death, Offshore Claims, Plant Explosion Injury, Medical Malpractice, Defective Drugs, and Defective Medical Devices.

Common Types of Workplace Injuries

Any employee can suffer an injury that prevents them from working. Just because someone’s job doesn’t seem dangerous doesn’t mean they are going to be safe at work. Office workers can slip and fall, drivers can be injured in traffic collisions, and health care professionals can injure their backs while helping patients. Workers and their families may also need guidance on Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse, Wrongful & Missed Diagnosis, Entertainment Law, Estate Planning, Mediation, Public Finance Transactions, and Social Security Disability in connection with other legal concerns. Other common types of workplace injuries include:

• Falls from heights
• Slips and falls
• Road accidents
• Being struck by falling objects
• Burns from fires or electrocutions
• Acts of violence
• Exposure to harmful chemicals

Some accidents cause immediate injuries that require medical attention. Others may come on gradually or get worse as the employee performs their regular job duties. Determining when symptoms began, what the employee was doing, and how the injury affected their ability to work can be important later if there are questions about a workers’ compensation claim.

How a Workers’ Compensation Claim Works

Workers’ compensation exists to provide benefits and assistance for eligible injuries and illnesses related to employment. A workers’ compensation claim is not focused on negligence like most personal injury cases. Instead, the focus is on employment, the link between the condition and the workplace, medical treatment, and lost wages.

After a worker notifies their employer about the injury, medical records and other documentation may be used to evaluate the claim. Employment records, documentation of the accident, witness information, and other evidence can become important later on.

What To Do After a Workplace Injury

Employees should seek medical treatment promptly after a serious workplace accident. Not only can delaying treatment harm an employee’s health, but it could make it more difficult to understand the extent of the injury and how it may progress.

Employees should report the accident to their employer following established procedures. A manager, supervisor, or human resources department may need to know when and where the injury occurred and what the employee was doing at the time.

The documentation you gather could be key if any disputes surface afterward. Keep records of medical care, work restrictions, correspondence with the employer or insurer, the accident report, wage statements, and other documents related to your claim.

Workers should also be honest with their medical providers about how the accident happened and the symptoms they are experiencing. Medical records often play a critical role in establishing the nature of the injury and how it impacts the employee’s ability to work.

Common Injuries in Workers’ Compensation Cases

Employees can injure any part of their body at work. Back injuries, neck pain, shoulder injuries, and knee problems are common in occupations that require heavy lifting or repetitive motions. Falling at work can cause fractures or head trauma. Equipment accidents may lead to crushed extremities, amputations, burns, and deep cuts.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can cause neurological symptoms that impact an employee’s ability to work. Symptoms may remain after other injuries are treated. Spinal injuries can affect an employee’s ability to lift items, stand for long periods, walk, or sit.

When injuries are not visible, medical records become important. Imaging reports, physician’s notes, and treatment records can support an employee’s injury claim. Physical therapy notes and documented work restrictions can also help.

Why Medical Documentation Is Important

A workplace accident report only confirms that an incident was reported. Medical documentation can help prove what conditions were diagnosed, what treatment occurred, how symptoms progressed, and whether doctors placed any restrictions. Depending on the circumstances, injuries may also involve Product Liability, Slip and Fall, Premises Liability, or Motorcycle Accident claims.

If an employee’s symptoms worsen, they should tell their medical providers instead of assuming it is going to be documented. Workers should also keep track of appointment dates, prescriptions, therapy, diagnostic testing, referrals, and work restrictions. For a severe injury, the medical history compiled through treatment could span months.

When You Cannot Return to Your Old Job

Sometimes an employee can’t just return to work after receiving medical treatment. An employee who lifted heavy objects before the injury, drove a vehicle, worked with machinery, or stood for eight hours per day might not be able to perform their duties.

Employers may offer alternate work or modified job duties when the employee is ready to return. However, if the employer does not have another position available or the employee’s work restrictions prevent them from working, the two may disagree about when the employee can return to work. Medical providers can place restrictions on employees related to lifting, sitting, standing, bending, or other motions required at work.

If an employer has alternate work available when the employee is ready to return, that position should be examined closely. If the medical restrictions prevent the employee from performing those duties, the restrictions should be communicated to the employer.

When a Claim Is Disputed

A dispute does not automatically mean the employee is lying about their injury. There are numerous reasons an employer or insurer may question different aspects of a workers’ compensation claim.

An employer may question whether the accident occurred at work. There can also be disputes about the nature of the injury, whether certain medical treatment is related to the injury, or an employee’s physical limitations. Even the employee’s ability to return to work could be questioned.

Medical records can help establish injury details, diagnosis, and work restrictions. Employment records can provide details about the injured worker’s job duties and earnings. Witness information, accident reports, photos, video recordings, and other evidence may support the employee’s account of how the accident occurred.

Employees should save documentation related to disputed benefits. Relying on phone conversations can lead to misunderstandings later. Written records can help identify what benefits have been requested, approved, questioned, or denied. Depending on the circumstances, other legal matters may involve Criminal Defense, Expungement, DWI, Probation And Parole Violation, or a Catastrophic Work Injury.

Workers’ Compensation Proceedings in Shreveport

The way workers’ comp cases are processed is separate from general civil litigation. In Louisiana, the Workforce Commission maintains district offices through its Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration, where disputed workers’ comp matters are litigated. Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration District 1 West, located at 9234 Linwood, Shreveport, LA 71106-7001, serves the Shreveport area.

This office is located in south Shreveport near the Bert Kouns Industrial Loop and I-49 area. Workers’ compensation proceedings involve disputed workers’ compensation claims. Topics such as benefits, medical treatment, employment issues, and other concerns in the claim may be discussed.

Hire a Top Rated Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

When you suffer an injury at work, you may have questions about medical care, lost time from work, required documentation, and your ability to return to work at the same job. Knowing how the workers’ compensation system works allows an injured employee to make educated decisions about what happens as their claim moves forward. When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, they can help you in this process.

Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates can go over the events leading to your injury at work, review your documentation, and discuss your options for pursuing a disputed claim. Contact Jacqueline A. Scott & Associates to talk about your injury at work and find out how the workers’ compensation process works.

Shreveport, LA Workers’ Compensation Resources

• Workers’ compensation and medical expenses under the LHWCA