If you were hurt on the job in Port Allen or anywhere in West Baton Rouge Parish, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Our attorneys help injured workers secure the medical treatment and wage replacement they are owed under Louisiana law.
Combined experience
Trial Lost in Over 20 Years
A workplace injury affects every part of your life. Beyond the physical pain, you are likely dealing with financial pressure and uncertainty about your rights under Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system.
These problems are common, and they can feel overwhelming when you are already dealing with an injury. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your options and protect your rights.
At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, we represent injured workers throughout West Baton Rouge Parish in workers’ compensation claims. We handle every stage of the process: filing your initial claim, securing medical treatment, disputing denied claims, and pursuing the full range of disability benefits available under Louisiana law. Our goal is to get you the benefits you are owed so you can focus on getting better.
We have a dedicated team member who focuses specifically on workers’ compensation cases, giving you representation from someone who understands the laws and procedures that govern these claims in Louisiana. Every case also receives direct oversight from our partners.
Workplace injuries come in many forms, and Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system covers most employees who are injured on the job. We represent workers across a wide range of injury types and claim situations.
Sudden injuries from falls, equipment malfunctions, vehicle accidents, and other workplace incidents.
Conditions that develop over time from repetitive motions, prolonged strain, or ongoing workplace exposure.
Claims where your employer or insurer refuses to authorize necessary medical care or denies coverage for treatment.
Representation when your workers' compensation claim has been denied and you need to challenge the decision.
Pursuing temporary or permanent disability benefits when your injury limits or prevents you from working.
Illnesses or injuries caused by contact with toxic chemicals, fumes, asbestos, or other dangerous materials on the job.
When you hire Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, you get the combined knowledge and resources of the entire firm behind your claim. We are not a volume operation. Each case gets the attention it deserves.
You communicate directly with the attorneys managing your case. No call centers, no runaround, no getting passed between assistants.
A dedicated team member handles workers' compensation cases specifically, so your claim is managed by someone who works in this area of law every day.
We prepare every case as if it will go to hearing. That preparation drives stronger outcomes whether your case resolves through negotiation or requires litigation.
We are a Baton Rouge firm that has served the greater Baton Rouge area, including Port Allen and West Baton Rouge Parish, since 2005. We know the local courts and the local community.
We handle the legal side of your workers’ compensation claim from start to finish. Here is what the process looks like.
We listen to the details of your injury, review your situation, and explain your rights under Louisiana workers' compensation law.
We gather medical records, employment documentation, and other evidence needed to build a strong claim on your behalf.
We work to secure your medical treatment coverage and wage replacement benefits, handling all communication with your employer's insurer.
If your claim is denied or disputed, we represent you in hearings and appeals before the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation.
We pursue the full benefits you are owed and keep you informed at every step until your case is resolved.
Throughout this process, you have direct access to your attorney. We keep you updated on every development and respond to your questions promptly.
Wage replacement while you are completely unable to work during your recovery period.
Compensation when you can return to work in a limited capacity but earn less than your pre-injury wages.
Ongoing benefits for permanent impairments that reduce your ability to work, even after reaching maximum medical improvement.
Long-term financial support when a severe, permanent injury prevents you from performing any type of work.
All reasonable and necessary medical care related to your workplace injury, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescriptions.
Our attorneys have handled some of the most complex commercial disputes in Louisiana. These results reflect what’s possible when you work with a firm that prepares every case for trial.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.
Every workers’ compensation case starts with a free consultation. We review the details of your workplace injury, explain your legal options, and help you understand what benefits you may be entitled to under Louisiana law. There is no obligation.
We handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and you owe no attorney fees unless we recover benefits on your behalf. We advance all case-related expenses so cost is never a barrier to getting the legal help you need.
"Great experience. They were very professional and were there whenever I called or needed them. My settlement was well worth the wait. I recommend them to anyone needing legal services. They will fight for you and get you what you deserve for your injuries."
"Great people who really care about your situation. They did everything possible to take care of my family. I would highly recommend Jason, Robert, and the whole team. Top notch."
"I am beyond pleased with the outstanding professionalism and astounding work ethic that Lee Daquanno and his staff put into my case. Lee was prompt and kept me informed at every step. Lee went above and beyond for me and I am extremely grateful."
Most of our clients come to us through referrals from people they trust. That reputation is something we work to earn with every case we handle.
Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno is led by three partners: Jason Melancon, Robert Rimes, and Lee Daquanno. Our attorneys are admitted to practice in all Louisiana state courts and in the U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of Louisiana, as well as the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Each partner directly manages cases from start to finish, so the attorney you meet is the attorney who does the work.
Jason co-founded the firm in 2005 and leads its litigation work. He has been named a Super Lawyer (2018-2021) and a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2013-2015). He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, and he is an active member of the Louisiana Association for Justice.
Robert co-founded the firm alongside Jason in 2005 and leads its personal injury practice. He earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans, where he served on the Moot Court Staff. He is admitted in all Louisiana state courts and in federal district court, and he is a member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association.
Lee has been with the firm since 2005 and became a partner in 2022. He graduated magna cum laude from Southern University Law Center, where he served as senior editor of the Southern University Law Review. He manages the firm’s day-to-day case operations and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
From workers’ compensation claims to complex commercial litigation, our firm has the depth and range to handle whatever your case requires.
Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Louisiana law requires you to notify your employer within 30 days of the injury to preserve your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Seek medical treatment right away, even if the injury seems minor at first. Keep records of everything: incident reports, medical visits, and any correspondence with your employer or their insurance company. If your employer has a designated medical provider for workers’ comp cases, you may need to begin treatment there. Contact a workers’ compensation attorney early to make sure your rights are protected and no deadlines are missed.
The prescriptive period for workers’ compensation claims in Louisiana is one year from the date of the accident or from the date of the last payment of benefits, whichever is later (La. R.S. 23:1209). This is a hard deadline. If you miss it, you lose the right to pursue your claim. If benefits have been paid and then stopped, the one-year clock restarts from the date of the last payment. Because building a strong claim takes time and evidence needs to be preserved, we recommend speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
Louisiana workers’ compensation provides several categories of benefits depending on your situation. Medical treatment coverage pays for all reasonable and necessary care related to your workplace injury, including surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and medical equipment. Wage replacement benefits include Temporary Total Disability (TTD) if you cannot work at all during recovery and Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) if you can work in a reduced capacity. For lasting injuries, you may qualify for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) or Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits, which provide ongoing financial support based on the severity and permanence of your condition.
Louisiana law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who file workers’ compensation claims. If your employer fires you, demotes you, or takes other adverse action specifically because you filed a claim, you may have a separate legal cause of action for retaliation. That said, workers’ compensation does not provide blanket job protection. An employer can still make employment decisions based on legitimate, non-retaliatory business reasons. If you believe you were let go or punished because of your claim, speak with an attorney about your specific situation.
A denied claim is not the end of the road. Many valid workers’ compensation claims are initially denied by insurers. Common reasons include disputes over whether the injury is work-related, questions about medical necessity, or procedural issues with how the claim was filed. You have the right to challenge a denied claim through the Louisiana Office of Workers’ Compensation. An attorney can help you understand the basis for the denial, gather evidence to counter it, and represent you at hearings and appeals.
You are not required to have a lawyer, but representation significantly improves your chances of a favorable outcome, especially when a claim is disputed or denied. Insurance companies have their own legal teams working to minimize payouts. An attorney makes sure your claim is properly documented, deadlines are met, and you receive the full benefits you are entitled to under Louisiana law. At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, there is no upfront cost to hire us for a workers’ compensation case. You only pay if we win.
Our office is located in Baton Rouge, just minutes from Port Allen and the rest of West Baton Rouge Parish. We represent injured workers throughout the greater Baton Rouge area, including these parishes and communities.
Baton Rouge | Port Allen | Denham Springs | St. George | Central | Baker | Zachary | Plaquemine | St. Gabriel | Addis | Brusly | Shenandoah | Village St. George | Oak Hills Place | Inniswold | Gardere Place
No matter where in the greater Baton Rouge area your workplace injury occurred, our team is ready to help you pursue the benefits you deserve.