If you work at a company owned or operated by a close friend or family member, you know the situation has unique positives and negatives that set it apart from the usual employee-employer dynamic. For example, you might be more willing to take on extra hours or tasks than you would if you worked in a more traditional setting. Your friend or family boss might cut you a bit more slack than a “regular” employer would. And, of course, you both might feel like you can unload on each other in ways that wouldn't be usual in a traditional business relationship.

A Workplace Injury Can Strain Relationships

One situation that can significantly challenge the relationship between you and your friend/family boss is if you apply for workers' compensation benefits after being injured in a workplace accident. Your boss might try to discourage you from doing so, using your friendship or family relationship as leverage to convince you not to apply. If you're on the fence about it, here are some facts that may help you decide.

- Workers' Compensation is Your Legal Right. Under Louisiana law, workers' compensation benefits are available “to all injured workers who suffer an injury or disease arising out of and in the course and scope of their employment.” While some jobs are excluded from Louisiana's workers' compensation system, in most cases, you're covered.

- Workers' Compensation is Your Employer's Legal Obligation. No matter the relationship between you and your employer – close friend, relative, or otherwise – your employer has a legal obligation under Louisiana law to carry workers' compensation insurance or certify as self-insured. In other words, no matter what your relationship with your employer is, they're going to have to have workers' compensation coverage anyway.

Let the Delsa Law Firm, LLC, Help You

If you have been injured in a workplace accident, and your friend or family employer is trying to convince you not to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits or is making it difficult for you to do so, give us a call.

At the Delsa Law Firm, LLC, we've helped many hard-working people in Louisiana take advantage of their workers' compensation rights, and we're ready and able to help you too. Conveniently located in Slidell, just off of I-12, we're easy to get to if you work in the New Orleans area.

Remember, we can help you if you work in Louisiana, even if you commute from another state. Call us today at (985) 882-1222 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.