Texas Workers: How Many Receive Benefits in Case of Injury?

Photo of a worker driving a forklift in a warehouse

Texas is notorious for being a horrible place to work, because there are no protections for employees. According to The New York Times, in Texas “more than 500,000 workers—about 6 percent of the work force—receive no occupational benefits if they are injured on the job.”

The danger to these uninsured workers is high. In seven of the last 10 years, Texas leads the nation in worker fatalities. Unfortunately, these workers are left with few options while they are unable to work.

Moreover, Texas offers little protection for these injured workers and makes obtaining benefits very difficult.

Of the workers that do have compensation coverage:

• One million have private occupational insurance through their employer
• 81 percent are covered by a state run compensation system

Private occupational insurance plans are not regulated by Texas. These plans are written to limit the rights, benefits and medical options for workers that enter into them.

State run plans offer basic coverage, such as medical care, partial income reimbursement and beneficiary payments to the family of a worker killed on the job.

I Need a Texas Workers’ Comp Attorney

It is not hard to see that the workers’ comp system in Texas is in favor of the employer, not the employee. States that require compensation coverage also have state agencies that are designed to oversee workplace safety.

However, Texas does not have a state run agency to monitor the safety of workers. Instead, it relies on the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to do that job. Currently, there are not enough OSHA inspectors in our state to be able to keep tabs on worker safety.

Although it is difficult for workers to get compensation for their injuries, it is not impossible. In Texas, you will need to hire a knowledgeable workers’ comp attorney to gain the benefits you deserve.

The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/us/the-state-has-a-record-of-high-worker-fatalities-and-of-weak-benefits.html?_r=0