In Texas, workers’ compensation (workers’ comp) can be difficult to navigate. Texas laws around workers’ comp make it hard to pursue legal action after being injured at work. If you have been injured at work and are seeking financial compensation, contact the lawyers at Paxton Law.
Texas Workers’ Compensation Benefits
In the state of Texas, employers are not required to carry workers’ compensation benefits for their employees. If a company carries workers’ compensation, then any injuries at work should be covered under the benefits. In the case that your employer does not subscribe to workers’ compensation then you may be able to pursue legal action.
So, what happens if your employer carries workers’ compensation, but you are looking to get more benefits than what workers’ compensation provides. Well, in most cases workers’ compensation will cover what you need, but in some cases, you may be able to get more for your injury at work.
What Is Covered by Workers’ Comp
Workers’ compensation covers a wide variety of injuries and offers many benefits to the employees. With most workers’ compensation, you receive:
- Medical benefits
- Income benefits
- Burial Costs
- Death Benefits
Medical Benefits
After you have been injured on the job, you may use your medical benefits to cover medical expenses resulting from your workplace injury. This can include surgery, hospitalization costs, medical visits and check-ups, treatments, and physical therapy. However, make sure you are going to a doctor in your workers’ compensation network and that all treatments are covered.
Income Benefits
Income benefits cover your lost wages after your injury. There are a few main categories that this benefit could fall under. Temporary benefits, which cover a percentage of your lost wages after a period of seven days. Impairment benefits, which cover your lost wages if you become permanently impaired due to a workplace injury. The length of this benefit is determined with your doctor’s recommendation and the percentage of impairment the injury caused. This can include lifetime impairment.
Burial Costs
Burial costs are covered when a worker has died due to their workplace injury. It is given to the family to cover the costs of the funeral and burial.
Death Benefits
Death benefits are awarded to the family if the worker is killed due to their workplace injury. This would cover their wages and their future potential earning that were lost.
Getting More From Workers’ Compensation
Occasionally the workers’ compensation insurance company will try to prevent you from getting the amount you are owed. Or they may try to hold you responsible for your injuries. In these cases, it is important that you do not settle with the insurance company. Hire a workers’ compensation attorney so they can fight for you.
Third-Party Suit
Typically, the only money the injured worker can get is workers’ compensation benefits. However, this is not always the case. If someone who is not associated with your employer/doesn’t work for your employer causes your injury, you can pursue a third-party lawsuit.
Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Texas
The laws surrounding workers’ compensation can be blurry and some employers don’t even carry it. If you have been injured while at work, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Contact the attorneys at Paxton Law to fight for you. With our team of knowledgeable attorneys, we can help you get the monetary compensation you deserve. Call us at (281) 978-2244, or visit our website for a free consultation. Don’t suffer in silence, let the attorneys at Paxton Law fight for you.