If you’ve been hurt at work in St. George, you have the right to medical treatment, wage replacement, and disability benefits under Louisiana law. Getting those benefits, though, often means dealing with an employer’s insurance company that has every reason to minimize your claim. Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno helps injured workers across St. George fight for the full benefits they’re owed.
Combined experience
Trial Lost in Over 20 Years
When a workplace injury disrupts your life, the financial and physical pressure can build quickly. Bills arrive before benefits do, and the workers’ comp system isn’t designed to make things easy for you.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can cut through these obstacles, deal with the insurance company on your behalf, and make sure your rights are protected from the moment you file your claim.
At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, we represent injured workers in St. George and throughout East Baton Rouge Parish. Our team understands Louisiana’s workers’ compensation statutes and knows how insurers try to limit payouts. We prepare every claim thoroughly, and if a dispute reaches a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge, we’re ready.
Our approach starts with understanding the full scope of your injury and how it affects your ability to work. From there, we build a case that accounts for your medical needs, lost wages, and any long-term disability, then pursue the maximum benefits available under Louisiana law.
Louisiana workers’ compensation covers a wide range of on-the-job injuries and occupational conditions. Here are some of the most common claims we handle for St. George workers.
Sudden injuries from falls, equipment malfunctions, vehicle incidents, or other on-the-job accidents. These account for the majority of workers' comp claims in Louisiana.
Conditions that develop over time from repeated motions or prolonged physical strain, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and chronic back problems.
Injuries or illness caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, fumes, extreme temperatures, or other hazardous workplace conditions.
Claims where the insurer disputes the type, duration, or necessity of medical treatment recommended by your physician.
If your employer's insurance company denied your claim or cut off your benefits prematurely, we challenge the denial and pursue the benefits you're owed.
Claims for temporary total, temporary partial, permanent partial, or permanent total disability benefits based on the severity and duration of your injury.
If your injury happened at work or because of your job, there’s a good chance it qualifies for workers’ compensation, even if fault isn’t clear cut.
When you hire one attorney at Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, you get the benefit of the entire firm’s knowledge. Our team collaborates on cases, combining their experience to build the strongest possible claim for every client.
Unlike larger firms where your file gets passed to junior associates, a partner at our firm directly manages your workers' comp claim from intake through resolution.
We prepare every case as if it's going before a workers' compensation judge. Insurance companies know when an attorney is ready to litigate, and they adjust their offers accordingly.
With over 50 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys know how East Baton Rouge Parish courts operate and how local insurers handle claims.
You communicate directly with the attorney working your case. No call centers, no runaround, no waiting days for a callback.
Here’s how our workers’ compensation process works, from your first call to the resolution of your claim.
We listen to the details of your injury, review any documentation you have, and assess whether you have a valid workers' comp claim.
We file your claim with the appropriate insurer, gather medical records, and document the full extent of your injury and its impact on your ability to work.
We negotiate with the insurance company to secure your medical treatment coverage, wage replacement benefits, and any disability benefits you qualify for.
If the insurer disputes or denies any part of your claim, we file the necessary motions and represent you at hearings before a workers' compensation judge.
We work toward the best possible outcome, whether through a negotiated settlement or a favorable decision from the judge, and make sure all benefits are properly paid.
Your job is to focus on recovering. Ours is to handle everything else.
Louisiana workers' comp law has strict deadlines and procedural requirements. Missing even one can jeopardize your entire claim. We make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Insurance companies routinely underpay or deny valid claims when workers aren't represented. Having an attorney levels the playing field and typically results in better outcomes.
If the insurer tries to limit your medical care or force you to see their preferred doctors, we fight to make sure you get the treatment you actually need.
Workers' compensation attorney fees in Louisiana are regulated by statute and subject to approval by the workers' compensation judge. You won't pay anything out of pocket for our representation.
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 at Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno is completely free with no obligation. We’ll review the facts of your situation, explain your legal options, and give you an honest assessment of your claim.
Workers’ compensation attorney fees in Louisiana are governed by La. R.S. 23:1141. Unlike personal injury cases, workers’ comp fees are set by statute and must be approved by a workers’ compensation judge. This means you never have to worry about unexpected legal costs. Our fee is paid from the benefits recovered on your behalf, and only after your claim succeeds.
"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. I didn't just gain good legal representation I also gained friends and a law firm that cared."
"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 was referred to Melancon Rimes by a friend and 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. I would recommend him to anyone seeking legal help. Lee went above and beyond for me and I am extremely grateful for him during my time of need."
Our firm is built on referrals from satisfied clients and other attorneys who trust us with their most important cases. That reputation is something we take seriously with every claim we handle.
Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno was founded in 2005 by attorneys Jason Melancon and Robert Rimes, with Lee Daquanno joining as partner in 2022 after working with the firm in various capacities since its founding. Our three partners bring different strengths to the table, and every client benefits from the full team’s experience. In over 20 years of practice, we’ve only lost one trial.
Jason brings an uncommon combination of engineering training and legal skill to every case. Before law school, he earned a degree in Biological Engineering from LSU, which sharpened his ability to break down complex evidence. As a Senior Associate on the Louisiana Law Review, he developed the research and writing discipline behind the firm’s courtroom results, including a $16 million judgment in a consumer fraud class action.
Robert has focused his entire career on getting injured people fairly compensated. At Loyola Law in New Orleans, he was one of five finalists for the J. Sanford Levy best brief writing competition. That skill shows at the negotiating table and in the courtroom, where he has secured multiple six- and seven-figure results for clients across south Louisiana.
Lee joined the firm in 2005 and worked alongside the founding partners for nearly two decades before making partner in 2022. At Southern University Law Center, he graduated magna cum laude and served as senior editor of the Law Review and Parliamentarian on the Moot Court Board. He manages the firm’s caseload and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Our attorneys are members of the Louisiana Association for Justice and the Baton Rouge Bar Association.
Under La. R.S. 23:1209, you have one year from the date of your workplace injury to file a workers’ compensation claim. For occupational diseases, the one-year period generally begins when you knew or should have known that the condition was related to your work. You also need to report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. Missing either deadline can result in losing your right to benefits entirely, so it’s important to act quickly. If you’ve been injured, contact a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible to make sure your deadlines are met.
Louisiana workers’ compensation provides several categories of benefits depending on the severity of your injury. Medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury, including doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription medications. Wage replacement benefits, also called indemnity benefits, compensate you for lost income while you’re unable to work. These include temporary total disability (TTD) benefits if you can’t work at all, supplemental earnings benefits (SEB) if you can work but earn less than before, and permanent total disability benefits for injuries that permanently prevent you from working. The specific benefits you qualify for depend on your injury, your wages before the accident, and how the injury affects your ability to earn a living.
Louisiana’s workers’ compensation law allows your employer or their insurer to select the physician who provides your initial treatment. However, you have the right to request a change of physician if you’re unsatisfied with the care you’re receiving. In many disputed cases, the workers’ compensation judge will authorize an independent medical examination or allow you to see a different doctor. If your employer’s insurer is denying treatment that your physician has recommended, an attorney can file a motion to compel the insurer to cover the necessary care. Having legal representation is especially important when medical treatment becomes a point of contention with the insurance company.
A denied claim is not the end of the road. Insurance companies deny workers’ comp claims for many reasons: they may argue your injury isn’t work-related, that your medical treatment is excessive, or that you failed to report the injury on time. In Louisiana, you can challenge a denial by filing a disputed claim with the Office of Workers’ Compensation. This initiates a formal process where a workers’ compensation judge reviews the evidence and makes a ruling. An experienced attorney can gather medical records, deposition testimony, and expert opinions to build a strong case for your benefits. Many initially denied claims are later approved after proper legal representation.
No. Louisiana workers’ compensation covers both physical injuries and occupational diseases. If you develop a condition because of your work environment or job duties, such as hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure, respiratory illness from chemical exposure, or carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive motions, you may be eligible for benefits. The key requirement is that the condition must be related to your employment. Occupational disease claims can be more complex to prove than sudden injury claims, which is why having an attorney who understands the medical and legal standards for these cases is important.
Louisiana law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who file workers’ compensation claims. Under La. R.S. 23:1361, it is illegal for your employer to fire, demote, or discipline you for exercising your right to workers’ compensation benefits. If your employer does retaliate, you may have a separate legal claim for damages in addition to your workers’ comp benefits. While the fear of retaliation is understandable, the law is firmly on the side of the injured worker.
Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno represents injured workers throughout St. George and the surrounding parishes of greater Baton Rouge. Our office at 6700 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge is a short drive from anywhere in the St. George area, and we’re available to meet with you to discuss your case.
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, we can help you pursue the workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to.