When a business dispute threatens what you’ve built, you need attorneys who are prepared to fight for you in court, not push you toward a quick settlement that leaves money on the table.
Combined experience
Trial Lost in Over 20 Years
A workplace injury can put your health and your paycheck at risk at the same time. Many injured workers in Baker find the claims process confusing, and some see their benefits delayed or denied at the moment they need them most.
You should not have to fight the insurance company while you are trying to heal. Understanding your rights under Louisiana law is the first step toward getting the benefits you are owed.
At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, we guide injured workers through Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system, from the first report of injury through the resolution of the claim. With over 50 years of combined experience, our partners handle each case directly, so you work with an experienced attorney rather than being passed off to staff. We know the tactics insurers use to reduce or deny benefits, and we prepare every claim thoroughly in case it needs to be argued before a workers’ compensation judge. You can read more about our full workers’ compensation practice on our main workers’ compensation page.
Our firm has an attorney who focuses on workers’ compensation claims, so your case gets attention from someone who understands how these disputes are decided in Louisiana. We handle the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations so you can concentrate on your recovery.
Louisiana workers’ compensation covers most employees hurt on the job, whether the injury happened in a single accident or built up over time. We help Baker workers pursue the full range of benefits available under state law.
We file claims for sudden accidents and for injuries that develop over time from repetitive work, so your report and paperwork are handled correctly.
When an insurer delays or denies care your doctor recommends, we push to get your treatment approved and paid for.
We pursue the temporary and permanent disability benefits that replace part of the wages you lose while you cannot work.
If your claim was denied, we review the decision, gather the evidence, and fight to have your benefits reinstated.
Repetitive motion and long-term strain injuries can qualify for benefits. We document how your work caused the condition.
If you are pushed back to work too soon or into unsuitable duty, we protect your right to recover before returning.
Some workplace injuries also involve a third party, such as a defective machine or a negligent driver. In those situations you may have a separate personal injury claim in Baker in addition to workers’ compensation. Louisiana offers several wage benefit categories, from temporary total to permanent total disability, and we help you understand which ones apply to your injury.
For over 20 years, injured people across the greater Baton Rouge area have trusted Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno to stand up for them. Our partners have only lost one trial in two decades, and that record reflects the preparation we bring to every case we take.
Each of our partners manages cases from start to finish. You work with an experienced attorney, not a junior associate or a case manager.
We build each claim as if it will go before a workers' compensation judge, which puts you in a stronger position whether your case settles or is disputed.
An attorney at our firm concentrates on workers' compensation, so your claim is handled by someone who knows Louisiana's system well.
We are based nearby in Baton Rouge and serve Baker and the surrounding parishes, with deep roots in the community we represent.
The workers’ compensation process comes with strict steps and deadlines. Here is how we guide you through it, from your first call to the resolution of your claim.
We listen to what happened, review your injury and paperwork, and explain your rights under Louisiana law at no cost.
We make sure your injury is properly reported to your employer and your claim is filed correctly and within the legal deadline.
We work to get your medical treatment approved and your disability checks started or reinstated as quickly as possible.
If the insurer denies or fights your claim, we build the evidence and represent you before a workers' compensation judge.
We pursue a fair settlement or judgment and keep you informed at every stage until your case is resolved.
You will never be left guessing about the status of your claim. We keep you informed at every stage and stay available whenever you have questions or concerns.
Your initial consultation is free, and you pay no upfront fees to begin your workers' compensation claim.
You communicate directly with the attorney handling your case, so you get clear, reliable answers whenever questions come up about your claim.
Our trial-ready preparation signals to insurers that we are willing to litigate, which can lead to better outcomes.
We handle the deadlines, paperwork, and negotiations so you can concentrate on healing and getting back to work.
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 consultation with our firm is free. We will review your injury, explain whether you have a valid claim, and answer your questions with no obligation to hire us. If our office is closed when you reach out, we will return your call the next business day.
Louisiana law sets and limits attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases, and any fee must be approved by the workers’ compensation judge. You do not pay anything out of pocket to get started, and we are only paid within those legal limits. We will explain exactly how fees would work for your specific claim during your free consultation.
"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."
Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno was founded in 2005 by Jason Melancon and Robert Rimes, with Lee Daquanno joining as partner in 2022. Our three partners bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience and have handled cases in Louisiana state and federal courts, up to the U.S. Supreme Court. When you hire our firm, the entire team works on your behalf.
Jason handles the firm’s trial and litigation work. He earned his Juris Doctor from LSU Law School and has been named a Super Lawyer and, earlier in his career, a Rising Star. He is admitted to practice in Louisiana courts, federal district and appellate courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Robert co-founded the firm in 2005 and leads its 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 has spent two decades representing Louisiana workers and families whose income disappeared after an injury.
Lee has been with the firm since 2005 and became a partner in 2022. He runs day-to-day case operations, which keeps filings, medical records, and hearing deadlines on schedule. He graduated magna cum laude from Southern University Law Center.
That depth matters in workers’ compensation cases, where insurers rely on their own lawyers to limit what they pay. We have lost only one trial in 20 years, and that record comes from preparation, not luck.
In most cases, you have one year from the date of your workplace injury to file a workers’ compensation claim in Louisiana. You also need to report the injury to your employer within 30 days. For injuries that develop over time rather than from a single accident, the deadline can be calculated differently, and in some situations the timing works differently. Because waiting can put your benefits at risk, the safest approach is to report the injury right away and speak with an attorney as soon as possible so no deadline is missed.
No. Louisiana workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You generally do not have to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. You only need to show that you were injured while doing your job. This is different from a personal injury lawsuit, where fault matters. Because benefits are available regardless of fault, the dispute is usually about whether the injury is work-related and how much you are owed, which is where having an attorney helps.
Louisiana workers’ compensation can cover your medical treatment and a portion of your lost wages. Wage benefits fall into several categories: temporary total disability while you cannot work at all, temporary partial disability when you can do limited work, permanent partial disability for lasting impairments, and permanent total disability for injuries that prevent you from working again. Which benefits apply depends on the severity of your injury and your ability to return to work.
A denied claim is not the end of the road. Insurers deny claims for many reasons, including missed deadlines, disputes over whether the injury is work-related, or gaps in medical documentation. You have the right to challenge a denial before a Louisiana workers’ compensation judge. We review the reason for the denial, gather the evidence needed to support your claim, and represent you through the dispute process to pursue the benefits you are owed.
Louisiana law prohibits your employer from firing you in retaliation for filing a legitimate workers’ compensation claim. If you believe you were terminated or punished for pursuing benefits, you may have additional legal options. Keep records of your injury, your claim, and any communication with your employer, and speak with an attorney if you suspect retaliation. We can help you understand your rights and decide what steps to take next.
Your initial consultation with our firm is free, and you pay nothing upfront. In Louisiana, attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases are limited by law and must be approved by the workers’ compensation judge, so the amount is regulated rather than open-ended. We will explain exactly how fees would work for your specific claim during your free consultation, before you decide whether to move forward.
We represent injured workers in Baker and throughout the greater Baton Rouge area. Our office is a short drive away, and we are ready to help whether your injury happened at a warehouse, plant, job site, or office nearby.
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
Not sure whether we cover your area or your type of injury? Call us. If you were hurt on the job anywhere around Baker, we can tell you quickly whether we can help.
Get a free consultation and find out what benefits you may be owed. There is no cost to speak with us and no obligation to hire us.
Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm, Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm