When a workplace injury disrupts your income and piles up medical bills, you need someone who knows how to handle Louisiana’s workers’ compensation system. We manage the legal process so you can focus on getting better. Free consultation, no upfront costs.
Combined Experience
Lost one trial in 20 years
A workplace injury can upend your life fast. One day you’re working; the next you’re dealing with lost wages, medical bills, and an insurer more interested in minimizing your claim than helping you recover.
You have legal rights under Louisiana’s workers’ compensation law. The right attorney can help you understand and pursue those rights before any deadlines expire.
At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, we have been helping injured workers across the Baton Rouge area since 2005. We have a dedicated associate who focuses on workers’ compensation cases, supported by the full knowledge of our three-partner team. Our approach is straightforward: review your situation thoroughly, identify every benefit you’re entitled to under Louisiana law, and fight for it without charging you anything upfront.
Workers’ compensation insurers have experienced adjusters whose job is to limit payouts. We know the tactics they use, and we know how to counter them. Whether your claim was denied, your benefits were cut off prematurely, or you’re filing for the first time, we’re here to handle it.
Louisiana workers’ compensation law applies to a wide range of work-related injuries and illnesses. We represent workers at every stage of the process, from initial claim filing through contested hearings and formal appeals.
We handle claims for both sudden workplace accidents and cumulative trauma injuries that develop over time due to repetitive work or ongoing exposure.
When an insurer refuses to authorize the care your doctor recommends, we fight to get you the medical coverage you're entitled to receive.
If your injury completely prevents you from working during recovery, you may be entitled to temporary total disability payments to replace a portion of your lost wages.
If you can still work in a limited capacity, temporary partial disability benefits may compensate you for the reduction in your earning capacity during recovery.
For injuries that result in lasting impairment, we pursue permanent partial or total disability benefits to protect your long-term financial situation.
When your employer or their insurer disputes the facts of your injury, we represent you at hearings before Louisiana's Office of Workers' Compensation.
A denial is not the end of your case. We handle appeals and work to get your benefits reinstated, including representation at formal hearings if needed.
If someone other than your employer contributed to your injury, you may have a personal injury claim on top of your workers' comp benefits. We pursue both.
Not sure whether your situation qualifies? Call us for a free consultation and we’ll give you a clear answer about where your case stands and what to do next.
We have a dedicated associate who handles workers' compensation cases full time, backed by partner oversight on every file from start to finish.
Our partners stay involved in every case. Your workers' compensation claim won't get buried under a caseload managed by junior associates who don't know your situation.
We handle workers' compensation cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover benefits for you, and we advance all case-related costs.
We've been representing injury victims in Louisiana courts since 2005. We know the local hearing officers and how these cases are decided.
Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno is a Baton Rouge firm where partners stay directly involved in every case. That approach means more focused attention on your claim and better outcomes than you’d typically get from a high-volume practice.
Louisiana workers’ compensation cases follow a specific legal process. Here’s what to expect when you hire us, from your first call to final resolution.
We review your injury, the circumstances, and what benefits you may be entitled to. No cost, no obligation, and no paperwork required.
We help you file your claim correctly and gather the medical records, employer reports, and other documentation needed to support it from the start.
We communicate directly with the insurance company on your behalf to secure the medical authorization and disability benefits you're owed.
If the insurer disputes your claim or denies your benefits, we represent you at a formal hearing before the Office of Workers' Compensation.
Whether through a negotiated settlement or a formal award, we work to ensure you receive the full benefits you're entitled to under Louisiana law.
Workers’ compensation cases can take months to resolve, especially if there’s a dispute. We keep you informed at every stage so you’re never left wondering where your claim stands.
When an insurer delays your treatment authorization, we push back immediately. Getting the right care quickly affects both your recovery and your claim outcome.
Insurance companies calculate the minimum they can pay. We calculate the maximum you're entitled to under Louisiana law and build your case to support it.
We handle all communication with your employer, their insurer, and the courts. You focus on recovering; we handle the legal process.
Louisiana law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who file compensation claims. We make sure your employment rights are protected alongside your benefits.
Workers' comp law has strict reporting and filing deadlines. We make sure none of them are missed so a procedural error doesn't cost you your claim.
We’ve handled high-stakes commercial matters for Louisiana businesses and individuals, delivering real results across a range of case types.
On behalf of approximately 67,000 Louisiana consumers charged illegal service fees by an insurance company.
Challenged a vertical price-fixing scheme in the coal-ash market after defeating summary judgment motions.
Recovered across 13 years of litigation involving public officials and corporate competitors.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case depends on its specific facts and circumstances.
Every workers’ compensation case starts with a free consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and give you an honest assessment of your claim. No cost, no pressure, and no obligation to hire us afterward.
We handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we recover benefits for you. We also advance all case-related costs. Our fee comes from the recovery, not your pocket, so you get experienced legal representation from the start at no upfront cost.
Our referral-based practice is built on client results. Most people who come to us were sent by someone who worked with us before.
Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno was founded by attorneys Jason Melancon and Robert Rimes, with Lee Daquanno joining as a full partner in 2022 after years with the firm in other capacities. Our three partners bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience, and workers’ compensation cases are supported by a dedicated associate who specializes in this practice area full time. When you hire our firm, you’re not getting a single attorney. You’re getting the collective knowledge of the entire team.
Our three partners bring more than 50 years of combined experience in injury and litigation cases throughout Louisiana.
A focused associate handles workers' comp cases daily, supported by partner-level oversight on every file.
Our attorneys are admitted in all Louisiana state courts and the federal district courts throughout Louisiana.
Jason Melancon has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2013-2015) and a Super Lawyer (2018-2021).
Our attorneys have practiced in Louisiana courts for more than two decades, building deep familiarity with local hearing officers and the procedural requirements that determine case outcomes.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance program that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. In Louisiana, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you’re hurt at work, you generally don’t need to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. You need to show that the injury occurred during the course of your employment. Benefits available under the system include coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment, temporary disability payments while you’re unable to work, and permanent disability benefits if your injury results in lasting impairment. The no-fault structure makes workers’ compensation one of the more accessible forms of legal protection for injured workers, but the claims process can still get complicated, particularly when an employer or insurer disputes the nature or extent of your injury.
The statute of limitations depends on when your injury occurred. For injuries that happened on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. For injuries that occurred before that date, the deadline is one year. Separately, you are required to report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. Failing to report within that window can create complications for your claim even if the statute of limitations hasn’t passed. If you’re unsure whether a deadline applies to your situation, call us for a free consultation. We can review the specific details of your case and advise you on timing and next steps.
Louisiana workers’ compensation provides four main categories of disability benefits, in addition to medical coverage. Temporary total disability benefits apply when your injury completely prevents you from working during recovery. Temporary partial disability benefits apply when you can still work but your injury limits your capacity, reducing your earnings. Permanent partial disability benefits cover injuries that result in a lasting but partial impairment of your ability to work. Permanent total disability benefits provide ongoing support for severe, permanent injuries that prevent you from working at all. Beyond those categories, workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injury, including doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and prescriptions. The specific benefit amounts are calculated based on your average weekly wage before the injury and the nature of your impairment.
A denial is not the end of your case. Louisiana workers’ compensation disputes are handled through the Office of Workers’ Compensation, which is a specialized administrative court system. After a denial, you can file a disputed claim form to begin the formal dispute resolution process. From there, the case may proceed to mediation and, if necessary, a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge. The insurer is required to state the basis for a denial, and in many cases those reasons can be challenged with solid medical documentation, witness testimony, or legal argument. If you’ve already received a denial and aren’t sure what to do next, we can review your situation and advise you on the best path forward. Time limits continue to apply during the appeals process, so getting legal guidance sooner rather than later is important.
No. Louisiana law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who file or intend to file a workers’ compensation claim. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, reduction in hours, or changes in job duties that make it harder for you to continue working. If you believe your employer retaliated against you after a workplace injury or claim filing, you may have additional legal options beyond the workers’ compensation system. Documenting any changes in your employment status or working conditions after you reported your injury is an important step. Proving retaliation requires showing a connection between your protected activity (filing the claim) and the adverse action taken by your employer, which is one of the reasons having legal representation matters in these situations.
In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your employer for a work-related injury under Louisiana law. This means that by accepting workers’ compensation benefits, you generally give up the right to sue your employer directly in civil court. However, there is an important exception: if a third party was responsible for or contributed to your injury, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against that party in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. Common examples include a defective piece of equipment made by a third-party manufacturer, a contractor on a shared job site, or a driver who caused a vehicle accident while you were working. Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno handles both workers’ compensation claims and personal injury cases, so we can evaluate whether you have claims under both systems and pursue them together.
You’re not required to hire an attorney, but having one typically leads to better outcomes. Insurance companies have adjusters and legal staff whose job is to limit what they pay out. Without representation, you may not know whether you’re receiving the full benefits you’re entitled to, or whether certain procedural steps are being handled correctly. An attorney can review your claim, negotiate with the insurer, make sure your medical documentation supports your benefits, and represent you at any hearings that arise. At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, we handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover benefits for you. The consultation is free and there’s no obligation to hire us afterward.
We represent injured workers throughout the greater Baton Rouge area and the surrounding parishes. If you were hurt on the job anywhere in our service area, call us for a free consultation to review your claim at no cost to you.
East Baton Rouge | West Baton Rouge | Ascension | Livingston | Iberville | Pointe Coupee | West Feliciana | East Feliciana | St. Helena
Not in our listed service area? Call us and describe your situation. Depending on the details, we may still be able to help or connect you with someone who can.
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Friday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
LSU Law School (Juris Doctor), Senior Associate with the Louisiana Law Review. Recognized as a Super Lawyer (2018-2021). Admitted to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court.
Loyola University School of Law (Juris Doctor), Member of Moot Court Staff, finalist for J. Sanford Levy best brief writing competition.
Southern University Law Center (Juris Doctor, magna cum laude), Senior editor of Southern University Law Review. Admitted to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.