Work InjuryIf you were involved in an accident at work, you must take specific measures to protect your rights and ensure you recover fair compensation for your losses.
Read on to learn the proper steps to take after a workplace accident.
Getting an experienced attorney to assist you through the process is probably the best way to protect your rights.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Texas workers’ compensation laws permit workers who suffer injuries in safety accidents at work to receive compensation without filing a traditional lawsuit.
Recovering compensation through a workers’ compensation claim does not require proof of negligence or fault.
In the workers’ comp system, the injured worker must show only that their injuries occurred in the course and scope of employment duties.
What If My Employer Doesn’t Have Workers’ Comp Insurance?
Some employers do not carry workers’ comp insurance through the state because Texas doesn’t require them to do so.
These employers are called non-subscribers. But even if your employer doesn’t provide workers’ compensation coverage, you can still recover.
However, it may mean going to court or pursuing a settlement with the employer.
You really need a seasoned work injury lawyer on your side if your employer is a non-subscriber and you’re injured at work.
What Steps Should I Take If I Suffered a Work-Related Accident?
It may be challenging to have a clear frame of mind and take the proper steps for reporting workplace accidents.
However, undertaking the following direction will help you recover compensation as you move through the workers’ compensation claim process (or a private claim in the case of non-subscriber employers).
Provide Notice
Notify your supervisor right away. Your employer may implement their workplace safety response procedure to ensure no more employees suffer injuries in emergencies.
If there is no immediate danger to yourself and others, ask your supervisor to complete a report outlining the work-related accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention as soon as you can after an accident.
Creating a connection between your injury at the worksite incident is crucial to getting compensation for your losses.
A strong record of visits and well-documented injuries from your treating physician helps when you decide to file your workers’ compensation claim.
Complete a Claim
When seeking workers’ compensation for an injury suffered at a worksite, complete the DWC Form 041 and submit it to the Texas Department of Insurance within one year from your work-related accident date.
If you fail to file your claim within this time period, you risk denial of the workers’ compensation benefits you need.
Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Texas
A qualified workers’ compensation attorney provides you with the aggressive advocacy you need after such a traumatic event.
Dealing with insurance companies may make offers that barely scratch the surface of your injuries and losses.
Rarely do insurance companies, even your own, act in your best interests.
It’s vital to receive the compensation you need to recover from your injuries without mounting financial stresses.
Contact Us Today So We Can Help You
Since 1962, the attorneys at Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. have been fighting for the rights of Central Texans.
Our 85 years of combined legal experience have proved invaluable to the thousands of clients we have represented and assisted in the most challenging periods of their lives.
Our team provides zealous representation, competent and credible advocacy, and the necessary resources to maximize your financial recovery.
We pride ourselves on client communication and personal attention.
Contact our office today for a free case review and find out how we can help you.
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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