You twist your wrist lifting a box in the warehouse, knock your knee hard against a pallet on a crowded dock, or feel a sharp pull in your lower back after a long shift in the Louisiana heat. The pain isn’t unbearable, but you think you may need a doctor to look at it. And while the injury doesn’t prevent you from working entirely, it’s enough to slow you down and make work harder than it should be.
If you’re injured at work, you don’t have to power through it or hope the soreness fades eventually on its own. What starts small can become a major problem when you keep working without seeking treatment.
Getting checked out through Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system protects your health and helps determine whether you need rest, treatment, or modified duties.
Read on to learn how workers’ comp claims involving minor injuries are handled and how an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation attorney can help you receive the full benefits available under state law.
Major vs. Minor Injuries in Louisiana Workers’ Compensation
Louisiana workers’ compensation doesn’t differentiate between major and minor injuries. Under Statute §23:1021, you should qualify for medical benefits as long as the harm occurred while you were performing your job duties.
Typical routine on-the-job injuries:
- Strains and Sprains: Includes pulled muscles in the back from bending, strained wrists from lifting, and twisted ankles from uneven floors.
- Repetitive-Use Injuries: Includes gradual pain from constant gripping, tendon irritation, and hand fatigue from repeated motions.
- Surface-Level Trauma: Includes cuts from tools, bruises caused by equipment, or contact with hot or heated surfaces.
- Soft-Tissue Irritation: Includes shoulder tightness from overhead tasks or neck stiffness from awkward positioning.
- Joint or Muscle Pain: Includes knee pain after kneeling or bumping equipment, or hip strain from sudden twisting.
While these injuries are not classified as catastrophic, they can worsen without treatment. Louisiana workers’ compensation provides medical benefits at no cost to you, and coverage may still apply even if the injury doesn’t prevent you from working.
Are You Still Entitled to Medical Benefits if You Can Keep Working?
Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system entitles injured employees to medical benefits even when the injury does not result in lost work time. Eligibility is not tied to your capacity to continue performing job duties.
You may qualify for benefits such as:
- Doctor Visits: Exams, follow-ups, and specialist care.
- Diagnostic Testing: X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other imaging procedures.
- Medications: Prescriptions that manage pain and support healing.
- Physical Therapy: Treatment to rebuild strength and mobility.
- Medical Equipment: Braces, supports, or other prescribed devices.
- Advanced Care: Surgery or more intensive treatment when required.
You can receive these benefits even if you keep working, but continuing to push through pain isn’t always the safest choice.
When It Makes Sense to Stop Working After a Minor Injury
Continuing to work through pain may appear responsible, but doing so can aggravate the injury. Even a minor strain or sprain can worsen without proper rest and recovery.
Here are a few signs that stopping work or moving to light duty work through workers’ compensation might be the better option:
- Repetitive Duties Trigger Pain: Tasks such as stocking, lifting, or typing can exacerbate strains and lead to tendon issues.
- Pain Ramps Up During the Day: Discomfort that becomes sharper or more persistent means the injury is being stressed.
- You Start Favoring Other Body Parts: Overcompensation can strain new joints and lead to secondary injuries.
- Your Doctor Recommends Rest: If your doctor recommends time off or light duty, workers’ comp should honor those restrictions.
How To Get Medical Expenses Covered Through Workers’ Comp
Louisiana’s workers’ compensation process has specific steps you need to follow to receive benefits.
Here’s how the process works:
- Report the Injury Immediately: Notify your employer promptly; Louisiana requires notice within 30 days. Use your workplace’s accident or incident form to document the injury.
- Seek Medical Care: Exercise your right to choose your own physician and obtain a prompt evaluation. The provider’s records will substantiate the injury, describe the recommended treatment, and outline any necessary work restrictions.
- Attend All Follow-Up Appointments: Ensure you attend all follow-up visits. Consistent treatment strengthens your recovery and provides a thorough medical record that supports your claim.
- Keep Copies of Everything: Maintain copies of all medical notes, documented restrictions, and receipts. These records serve as essential evidence if your claim is challenged.
If you’re uncertain about your benefits or your claim has been unfairly denied, speak with an experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation attorney. Our team can review your case, help address delays, and advocate aggressively for the benefits you are legally entitled to.
Get Legal Help With Your Workers’ Comp Claim
Don’t ignore pain just because it seems manageable. Minor injuries can turn serious quickly. If you’re unsure about your rights or the insurer isn’t taking your claim seriously, reach out to the Louisiana workers’ compensation attorneys at Dudley DeBosier.
With decades of experience, a team of nearly 200 dedicated professionals, and a track record of helping over 58,000 clients and recovering more than $1.2 billion, we know what it takes to stand up to insurance companies and protect injured workers across Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Lafayette, Houma, New Orleans, and Shreveport.
Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We can review your injury, explain your benefits, challenge delays or denials, and assist you in getting the medical care and compensation you deserve.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future results. This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.
