In Texas, workplace injuries can have a hidden impact beyond the initial pain and suffering. Employees across various industries, from oil rigs to construction sites, are at risk daily. Our Texas workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights following a workplace injury in Texas.
The Cost of Workplace Injuries for Employees
Each year, thousands of workers in Texas suffer from work-related injuries. The physical toll of an injury can be debilitating, leading to pain, limited mobility, and sometimes permanent disabilities. This can affect the injured worker’s ability to perform their job and overall quality of life.
Emotionally, workplace injuries can cause feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression as employees struggle with the aftermath of being hurt on the job. The emotional distress from an injury can linger long after the physical wounds have healed.
Financially, workplace injuries can lead to lost wages due to time off work for recovery or medical treatments. In severe cases where a worker is permanently disabled or unable to return to work, the financial strain can overwhelm the employee and their family.
Dealing with medical bills and ongoing expenses without a source of income adds another layer of stress to an already challenging situation. You may have legal options available after being hurt while on the job. A worker injury attorney in Texas can help you pursue an injury claim, ensuring you maximize your recovery.
Legal Rights for Injured Workers in Texas
As an injured worker in Texas, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights. Employees in the Lone Star State have the right to a safe workplace free from hazards and risks. You are entitled to certain protections under Texas law if you have been injured on the job.
One of these important rights is seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp provides medical treatment and wage replacement for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. It is designed to help you recover physically and financially while you cannot work.
Additionally, you still have options if your employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance. You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them for negligence or unsafe working conditions that led to your injury.
Seeking Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Texas
When an employee in Texas suffers a workplace injury, seeking workers’ compensation benefits is crucial to ensure they receive the support they need. The benefits are designed to support employees suffering from work-related injuries or illnesses. In Texas, these benefits typically include:
Medical Benefits
Injured workers are entitled to receive medical treatment for their work-related injuries. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitative services deemed necessary for recovery.
Income Benefits
Texas workers’ compensation provides income benefits to employees who cannot work due to their injuries. There are different income benefits, including Temporary Income Benefits (TIBs) for those recovering and unable to work for more than seven days, and Impairment Income Benefits (IIBs) for workers who have reached maximum medical improvement but still have residual impairment.
Disability Benefits
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits may be available to workers who have sustained a permanent impairment but can still work in some capacity. Texas workers’ compensation law assigns a specific impairment rating, and the worker receives compensation based on this rating.
Death Benefits
In the tragic event of a work-related fatality, the surviving dependents may be eligible for death benefits. This includes compensation for funeral expenses and ongoing financial support for the deceased worker’s dependents.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Workers who cannot return to their previous jobs due to injuries may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services. This includes retraining and job placement assistance to facilitate returning to the workforce in a different capacity.
Burial Expenses
Workers’ compensation may cover reasonable burial expenses in the unfortunate event of a fatal workplace injury. This financial support eases the burden on the family during a difficult time.
Seeking the guidance of a Texas workers’ compensation lawyer is crucial for injured workers facing challenges in obtaining rightful benefits. A skilled worker injury attorney in Texas can assist in navigating the legal complexities, ensuring that the injured party receives the full spectrum of benefits they are entitled to under Texas law.
Call Our Texas Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
For over 60 years, The Burkett Law Firm has been committed to serving the people of Corpus Christi and helping them seek justice and compensation for their injuries. Our skilled team of attorneys has a deep understanding of worker’s rights and will use our legal knowledge and experience to fight for your best interests.
Everyone deserves fair representation, so we offer free initial consultations to assess your claim. Contact us today and let our worker injury attorney in Texas help you recover the rightful compensation you deserve after experiencing an injury at work. You do not have to face this alone. The Burkett Law Firm is here for you every step of the way.