Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation attorneys serving Louisiana and Florida
At Garrison, Yount, Forte, Mulcahy & Lehner, LLC, our attorneys have more than 50 years of experience representing clients throughout Florida and Louisiana in matters involving state and federal workers' compensation claims, including Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act cases. In addition to handling employee workers compensation claims, we file claims on behalf of our employer/insurer clients with the Second Injury Fund in Louisiana to obtain reimbursement for benefits paid to or on behalf of the injured employee. We can also assist our clients in obtaining approval and reimbursement from the Second Injury Fund for lump sum settlements.
Dedicated to protecting our clients' best interests
Our firm understands the frustrations often experienced by employers and their insurers when litigating workers' compensation cases. Unlike a typical personal injury matter, a workers' compensation case can continue on for months or years until a resolution is reached. Our goal when litigating these claims is to bring the case to a conclusion as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our attorneys are intimately familiar with the doctors, health-care providers and hearing officers which is important in achieving this objective.
The first step is determining whether the employee can successfully return to the work force. This result-oriented approach is beneficial not only to the employer/insurer, but also to the injured employee. We have access to excellent vocational rehabilitation counselors to guide our clients in assisting the employee in returning to the workforce, which ultimately minimizes the impact on the employer.
In some cases, a return to work may not be possible, as the employee may be permanently and totally disabled. In these unfortunate situations, we provide our clients with options to successfully resolve these claims, including obtaining Medicare set-asides to ensure that the employee’s future medical care is provided for.
Trusted litigators at your service
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping clients determine whether the best course of action is pursuing a settlement or taking the case to court. In some cases, the evidence may show that the employee’s claim is not legitimate. In these situations, we aggressively defend our client’s interests by obtaining second opinions with physicians we know to be competent and able to recognize a dishonest or uninjured claimant. We also have access to excellent private investigators who monitor and record a claimant’s activities to assist us in defending these claims. In the event that these matters proceed to trial, our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to successfully litigate these claims.
PPO Claims
Our attorneys have experience in defending PPO claims. In Louisiana, recent litigation has been instituted by hospitals and physicians in workers’ compensation courts against employers and insurers arising out of medical benefits paid on behalf of the injured employee. In many of these cases, the physicians and hospitals claim that the employer and/or insurer are not allowed discounts pursuant to PPO contracts, despite the fact that the hospital/physician entered into agreements with the PPO company and insurer to allow such deductions. These hospitals and physicians have filed thousands of cases on this issue, and typically seek thousands of dollars in penalties and attorneys' fees for discounts. This disturbing new trend potentially subjects employers/insurers to millions of dollars in liability. Our attorneys are currently defending these claims on behalf of our clients and are willing and able to assist any existing or new client in navigating this ever-changing arena.
Get the results you need today
Garrison, Yount, Forte, Mulcahy & Lehner, LLC represents clients throughout the Gulf Coast in workers' compensation cases. To schedule an initial consultation, contact our offices in Florida or Louisiana, or feel free to contact the firm online.
601 Bayshore Blvd. Suite 800
909 Poydras Street Suite 1800 New Orleans, LA 70112-4053
506 Water St. Suite E Madisonville, LA 70447-9678
