Workers' Compensation

Employer's Key Steps in Workers' Compensation

  1. All employers must provide workers' compensation insurance for their employees. The employer must submit proof of having the financial means of insuring his/her employees.

  2. Workers' compensation insurance can be provided by one of the following ways:

    • workers' compensation insurer
    • self-insurance
    • group self-insurance

  3. If an employee is hurt at work or becomes ill due to something that is work-related:

    • the employee must submit to a medical examination paid for by the employer.
    • the employee must keep you informed of any change in his/her condition.
    • the employer must report the injury or illness to its insurance provider and the Office of Workers' Compensation Administration (OWCA) within 10 days.

  4. Employees are not eligible for workers' compensation if the employee:

    • intentionally injured himself/herself or was injured while intentionally injuring another employee.
    • was intoxicated at the time of the injury.

  5. Upon receipt of the notice of injury, OWCA will mail the employer and the injured employee a brochure which sets forth a summary of rights, benefits, and obligations.

  6. In order to determine benefit amounts, every employer is required to maintain the following information for one year from the date of the record:

    • name, address, and occupation of employees
    • daily and weekly hours worked
    • wages paid
    • if the employee is a minor, the employer must procure and keep on file an employment certificate or work permit.

  7. Educational opportunities for a worker's dependents:

    • Kids' Chance is a scholarship program that provides scholarships to dependants age 16 to 25 for post secondary education of workers suffering a total or permanent disability or death that is compensable under a state or federal workers' compensation act or law. For information on Kids' Chance contact the Louisiana Bar Foundation.

  8. If you have any questions, please call OWCA at (225) 342-7555, or e-mail us at Answer My Question.

  9. If you have any questions concerning workplace safety, you may contact the Workplace Safety Section at (800) 201-2497 or (800) 201-2495, or e-mail wcallihan@ldol.state.la.us.

This page was last updated on July 13, 2007.