Hurt on the Job in Texas? Know Your Legal Rights

If you’ve been hurt on the job in Texas, you have rights. It’s important that you don’t sign anything from your employer or from an insurance company without contacting Thompson Law first. If you do, you could sign away your right to future compensation, medical care, or your right to file a lawsuit. Call Thompson Law if you’ve been hurt on the job to book your free initial consultation. Here’s what you need to know about your legal rights.

You Have the Right to File a Worker’s Compensation Claim

Almost all Texas employers have a legal obligation to carry worker’s compensation insurance for their employees. However, not all employers in Texas are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, as some larger employers may be non-subscribers. When a worker is hurt on the job, they have the right to file a worker’s compensation claim. This is true regardless of “fault.”

You Have the Right to Emergency Medical Care

If your on-the-job injury results in a medical emergency, you have the right to get emergency medical care. You can even get this care before you begin your worker’s compensation claim or see a work comp doctor.

You Have the Right to Have an Attorney Represent You

Even if you trust that your employer has only your best interests at heart, there’s something you must realize. When claims are made, it can cause the premium for the worker’s compensation insurance to go up. While this isn’t your fault, it can make otherwise reasonable employers do unreasonable things in an effort to save money. Although worker’s compensation coverage is legally mandatory, insurance companies have one interest: profit. Many adjusters will do everything they can to pay you as little as possible on your claim.

Regardless of whether you’re looking to settle or if you believe that you need to file a lawsuit, you have the right to have an attorney represent you. This is the best way to know that you’re being treated fairly by your employer and the insurance company.

What Should You Do If You’re Hurt on the Job?

Getting hurt on the job is scary. No one ever wants it to happen to them. If it does, it can be overwhelming. Follow these steps if you’re hurt on the job:

1. Notify your supervisor right away. If you don’t have a medical emergency, ask your supervisor to complete an incident report. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. In addition to an ambulance, the police will respond. The officer will take a report and give you a copy of the report number. In a few days, you’ll be able to take the report number to the proper precinct and get a copy of the report.
2. Get medical care. Let the healthcare provider know that you were hurt on the job. Getting medical care as soon as possible is important because it can keep injuries from getting worse. It can also help protect your legal claim of compensation. If you pay anything out of pocket, make sure that you keep your receipts because you may be eligible for reimbursement through worker’s compensation.
3. File your worker’s compensation claim. This is usually done through Human Resources with your employer. Fill out the proper paperwork to begin your claim and make sure that you include the incident report or the police report along with your claim.
4. Contact Thompson Law. You can reach us through our toll-free number at 844-308-8180, in Dallas at 214-444-4444, or in Fort Worth at 817-444-4444. THE FOURS LAWYERS available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we provide free initial consultations. We can answer the questions that you have about worker’s compensation and help ensure that you’re treated fairly.