HEB employees work in various fast-paced and often physically demanding roles, from stocking shelves to handling heavy machinery.
Workplace injuries are common, and knowing how to handle an HEB workers’ compensation claim is essential for protecting your rights and receiving the necessary benefits. This post explains the key steps and considerations when filing a work-related claim involving HEB in Texas.
Workers’ Compensation in Texas
Texas is unique because employers are not required to carry state-regulated workers’ compensation insurance. Some companies, like HEB, choose to operate as non-subscribers.
That means they opt out of the state’s workers’ compensation system and offer their own injury benefits program instead. Therefore, no HEB workers’ compensation policy is available when you suffer an injury on the job.
What Is a Non-Subscriber Policy?
A non-subscriber policy is an alternative to state-regulated workers’ compensation. While it may offer some benefits, it differs significantly in key ways:
- Limited coverage. Certain claims, such as repetitive stress injuries, may not be covered under a non-subscriber policy.
- Benefits are not guaranteed. The state does not regulate non-subscriber plans, so the benefits can vary widely and may be more restrictive than traditional workers’ compensation.
- Liability for lawsuits. Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, non-subscribers like HEB can be sued directly by injured employees for negligence.
If you’ve been injured at HEB in Texas, it’s critical to understand how their workers’ compensation policy operates and what steps to take to pursue appropriate compensation.
Common Workplace Injuries at HEB
HEB employees face various risks depending on their roles. Common injuries include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents. Wet floors, cluttered aisles, or uneven surfaces can lead to serious falls, resulting in fractures, sprains, or head injuries.
- Lifting injuries. Employees frequently lift heavy items, which can lead to back strains, herniated discs, or other muscle injuries.
- Equipment-related injuries. Workers operating forklifts, pallet jacks, or other machinery are at risk of accidents that can cause severe injuries.
- Cuts and lacerations. Handling sharp objects or working in food preparation areas increases the risk of cuts and other injuries.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Prolonged repetitive movements like scanning items or stocking shelves can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
These injuries often require workers to pursue an injury claim to recover compensation because they cannot file an HEB workers’ comp claim to cover medical treatment and lost wages.
Steps to Take After Being Injured at HEB
If you suffer an injury on the job at HEB, it’s important to act quickly and follow these steps to protect your rights:
- Report the injury. Notify your supervisor or manager immediately. Prompt reporting ensures your claim is documented and avoids delays.
- Seek medical attention. If required, visit a healthcare provider approved under HEB’s injury benefits program. Getting immediate medical care protects your health and creates a record linking your injury to the workplace incident.
- Document the incident. Collect as much evidence as possible, including photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and a written account of what happened.
- File a claim. Submit all necessary forms to HEB’s injury benefits program. Review their policy to ensure you meet all deadlines and requirements.
These steps can strengthen your claim and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Benefits Under HEB’s Non-Subscriber Policy
HEB’s status as a non-subscriber means their policy operates differently from state-regulated systems. The benefits you may receive depend on their injury benefits program’s specific terms and differ from what you would receive under an HEB workers’ comp settlement. Common provisions may include:
- Medical coverage. Most non-subscriber plans cover medical treatment related to workplace injuries. However, these plans may limit the type or duration of care you can receive.
- Lost wages. Some non-subscriber policies offer partial wage replacement if your injury prevents you from working. However, the amount and duration of payments may be more limited than traditional workers’ compensation.
- Disability benefits. Depending on HEB’s policy, you may be eligible for payments for temporary or permanent disabilities. These payments are often less generous than those provided under state-regulated workers’ compensation.
- Death benefits. If a workplace injury results in death, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses and loss of income.
Unlike state-regulated workers’ compensation, non-subscriber policies often require employees to follow specific procedures, such as using designated medical providers. It’s important to carefully review HEB’s policy to understand your rights and obligations.
What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied
Non-subscriber claims, such as those involving HEB, may be denied for various reasons, including:
- Insufficient evidence proving the injury occurred at work,
- Disputes over the severity of the injury or its connection to your job duties, or
- Allegations that you failed to follow HEB’s reporting policies or deadlines.
If your claim is denied, you can request a formal review of the decision or file a lawsuit for negligence. Either way, seeking guidance from an experienced Texas lawyer is essential.
Why You Should Consult a HEB Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Handling a non-subscriber claim can be challenging. Texas workers’ comp lawyers who have experience with non-subscriber cases can:
- Investigate the circumstances of your injury,
- Ensure all necessary documentation is filed accurately and on time,
- Negotiate with HEB’s claims adjusters to secure fair compensation, and
- Represent you in court if a personal injury lawsuit becomes necessary.
Legal representation is crucial in non-subscriber cases because the burden of proving negligence falls on you, the injured worker.
Pursuing Additional Compensation
In addition to the benefits offered under HEB’s non-subscriber policy, you may be eligible for additional compensation if third-party negligence contributed to your injury. For example:
- Defective equipment claims. If a piece of machinery or equipment caused your injury, you might have a claim against the manufacturer.
- Negligent contractors. If a contractor’s actions led to the incident, they could also be held liable.
Your attorney will evaluate your case to determine whether third-party claims are an option and help you maximize your compensation.
Contact The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C.
Understanding your rights under their non-subscriber policy is crucial if you’ve been injured at HEB in Texas. The experienced team at The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. can guide you through filing a claim and pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. We have decades of combined experience with Texas non-subscriber claims.
We are committed to helping injured employees secure the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help protect your rights.
Where to find our Waco office
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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