If you’ve been injured on the job in Texas, one of the most important steps you can take is to educate yourself about your situation. While it is important to know more about your workers’ compensation claims process, learning what other options you have can put you ahead of the curve.
While the McAllen workplace injury lawyers of De La Garza Law Firm know first hand just how difficult sorting out the aftermath of a workplace accident can be, rest assured that they have accurately mapped out just what you need to do if you are involved in one.
What to Do if You Are Injured at Work in South Texas
Under normal circumstances, workers’ compensation is a worker’s first line of defense after being injured on the job. It is an insurance program that your employer may choose to subscribe to–as in Texas, they aren’t required to sign up for it–and when someone is injured, the program covers costs related to the injury and lost wages.
While it could be rather difficult to determine if your employer has an insurance policy, they are legally required to inform you. If for any reason that information is hard to come by, you can always check to see if your employer has it through the Texas Department of Insurance’s online database as well.
If your employer does have workers’ comp, the normal procedure to adhere to is as follows:
- Seek medical attention – Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. Whether this means going to urgent care or visiting your usual physician, be sure to take care of your own health first.
- Report the accident – Remember that you have a period of up to 30 days after your injury occurred to report the incident to your supervisor or employer, preferably via a written statement. Ensure that the proper paperwork and documentation that you must fill out is completed.
- Get documentation – Be sure to request a copy of any incident report, and take note of the circumstances that caused your accident, as well as the date and time that it occurred.
- Gather witness information – Collect the contact information from any witnesses that may have seen or had been in the area when you were injured.
- Ask for help – If your injury impairs you from doing things like taking pictures of the area or determining who witnessed the accident, ask for help.
- Connect the accident to the cause – If you are injured at work, having medical paperwork connecting that injury to the workplace accident that caused it can make a big difference, especially if you decide to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Should your workers’ compensation claim be denied, or if your employer doesn’t have a policy, the natural progression would then be to file a personal injury lawsuit with an experienced personal injury lawyer in McAllen from De La Garza Law Firm.
Consult a Workplace Accident Attorney at De La Garza Law Firm in Laredo, TX
Recuperating from a workplace accident may seem like an uphill battle, but seeking assistance from an experienced workplace injury attorney is always a good idea. In Texas, workers are generally not allowed to sue their employers if their employer is providing workers’ compensation, but if your employer lacks or denies your workers’ compensation claim, you are entitled to seek financial relief through a personal injury claim.
For over 8 years, we here at De La Garza Law Firm have fought hard for the people of Laredo who have been injured while on the clock. With over 1,200 served and over $4 million in compensation earned within the last 18 months alone, Rafael De La Garza and his team are a choice legal team to have stand by your side in your time of need.
