A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON WORKERS COMPENSATION IN HOUSTON
Workplace injuries are a frequent occurrence, especially in heavy-duty industries like manufacturing, construction, logistics, etc. A lot of these industries operate in Houston and there are many people working in potentially dangerous situations, even when health and safety measures are in place. Sometimes, there’s just a freak accident which nobody saw coming.
Before one gets into such a line of work, they should be aware of every aspect of the job. One of the most important aspects is the Workers’ Compensation. Getting injured is not a small matter, especially if the injury is life-altering, and you should be aware of your rights before you get yourself involved.
As such, we’ve prepared this concise guide to educate you, preparing you if, God forbid, you were to get injured on the job. While one must always hope for the best, preparing for the worst is just prudent.
SHOULD YOU GET HELP?
The truth is that it would be better if you had professionals handling such a matter for you. Lawyers are very familiar with the system and can go a long way in making the entire process more convenient for you. If you’re injured and are unable to immediately see to your claim, a lawyer will still be able to handle it independently.
Also, because a Houston worker’s compensation lawyer usually works on a contingency fee basis, you wouldn’t have to worry about paying upfront and the lawyer would have an incentive to get you the best compensation possible.
THE PARTICULARS OF WORKERS COMPENSATION
First and foremost, you should know that employers in Houston, and all of Texas, are not under a legal obligation to subscribe to a workers’ compensation insurance scheme. In most states, employers, especially those involved in potentially dangerous industries, are required by law to subscribe to such an insurance scheme. However, despite the impression you might be given by your employer or co-workers, the absence of a workers’ compensation insurance scheme does not mean you are not entitled to compensation.
First, let’s cover what you should do if your employer has subscribed to a workers’ compensation insurance scheme. In such an event, it is absolutely vital that you file a claim as soon as possible. Your company’s HR department or other relevant personnel will be able to guide you on the particulars and you should even have a copy of the same. The injury HAS to be reported to your employer through recorded means (preferably email) and you should keep copies of these communications if possible as they will be required when you file your claim.
In the event your employer does not subscribe to a workers’ compensation insurance scheme, then you can file a personal injury claim through the courts and claim damages. You have the same option if you have been injured on your employer’s premises due to the actions of a third party. It should be noted that workers’ compensation will only go so far as to cover your medical bills and lost wages. Whereas through a personal injury claim you can also seek compensation for non-economic damages such as “pain and suffering”. Let us know the more info with Michael Giannulis.
CONCLUSION
We hope the above helps. While it is helpful to be aware of such things, the best approach is to be careful at all times. Nobody really ends up a winner when somebody gets injured, so its best that everyone takes a safe and cautious approach, to ensure everyone’s safety.
