Workers' Compensation Legal Assistant
Defense Side
Metairie, LA | On-Site | Direct Hire
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
A well-established defense litigation firm in Metairie — founded over 40 years ago and recognized as a Best Place to Work — is seeking an experienced Workers' Compensation Legal Assistant to support 2–3 attorneys in its workers' compensation defense practice. This is a direct-hire opportunity with a firm that has built its reputation on stability, culture, and serious defense work across the Gulf South.
You'll work on behalf of employers, insurers, and third-party administrators, managing an active caseload before the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation. If you know your way around a 1008, keep a claim file airtight, and take pride in keeping attorneys ahead of deadlines, this role is worth a conversation.
WHY THIS FIRM
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40+ year track record — one of the Gulf South's most respected and established defense firms
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Multiple recognitions for Best Place to Work and Best in Litigation
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Broad, substantive defense practice — workers' compensation, medical malpractice defense, toxic torts, labor & employment, construction, government liability, and insurance coverage
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Multi-office regional footprint across Louisiana and Texas — a growing firm with long-term stability and career potential
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A culture built on strong partnerships and low turnover — this is a firm where people stay
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Manage an active workers' compensation defense caseload from first report of injury through resolution, supporting 2–3 attorneys
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Prepare, eFile, and track filings with the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation (OWC), including answers to Disputed Claims for Compensation (Form LWC-WC-1008), Form 1007s, and related pleadings and exceptions
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Calendar and track OWC deadlines, status conferences, mediations, pretrial conferences, and trials before workers' compensation judges; manage attorney calendars in MS Outlook
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Schedule and coordinate depositions, court reporters, independent medical examinations (IMEs), second medical opinions, and vocational rehabilitation evaluations
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Request, retrieve, organize, and summarize medical records, billing records, and treatment histories from providers and web portals — the backbone of every comp file
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Prepare discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, and medical authorizations; track responses and follow up to closure
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Assist with utilization review and Medical Treatment Guidelines (Form 1009 / 1008 disputes) correspondence and documentation
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Communicate professionally with adjusters, employers, third-party administrators, treating physicians' offices, opposing counsel, and OWC staff
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Prepare exhibits, trial notebooks, mediation binders, and Bates-numbered document productions for hearings and trials
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Support settlement documentation, including joint petitions for settlement, and assist with Medicare Set-Aside coordination as needed
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Transcribe, format, and proofread legal correspondence and documents; prepare materials for mailing with attention to enclosure completeness
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Open and maintain client files, prepare intake forms, input attorney time into the billing system, handle check requests and travel arrangements, and save documents and emails to the document management system
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
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Salary commensurate with experience, $60–70K+
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance
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Short-term and long-term disability insurance; life insurance
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Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
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401(k) plus company match
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Paid time off
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
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Workers' compensation defense experience required — candidates without defense-side workers' compensation background will not be considered
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3+ years of experience supporting attorneys in workers' compensation defense litigation
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Working knowledge of the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation — its forms, filing procedures, deadlines, and hearing process
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Familiarity with workers' compensation terminology and concepts: indemnity and medical benefits, TTD/SEB, choice of physician, IMEs, utilization review, Medical Treatment Guidelines, and settlement procedure
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Experience supporting multiple attorneys simultaneously in a litigation environment, OR supporting one attorney in a larger firm
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Comfort working directly with insurance adjusters, employers, and third-party administrators
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Strong medical records management skills — requesting, organizing, indexing, and summarizing
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel) and legal practice/document management software; comfortable with eFiling systems and web-based medical record portals
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Excellent proofreading, grammar, formatting, and organizational skills
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Ability to manage competing priorities, meet strict deadlines, and maintain confidentiality
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Professional written and verbal communication skills; sound judgment and discretion
APPLY NOW
If this sounds like a place where you can build a long and rewarding career and you meet the requirements above, apply now. All qualified candidates will be contacted within 2–3 business days.
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