The cost of insurance and medical care continues to rise in Texas and throughout the U.S. In fact, studies show that 31% of Texans have delayed or skipped medical care due to concerns about the cost.
Workers’ compensation insurance covers the cost of medical care and treatment for people who have been injured at work, so that they may recover without the stress of bills and payment. But it’s important for injured workers to follow the right steps in order to get their full benefits. Here’s what to do if you have been injured on the job in Texas.
What Is Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that protects injured workers and their families. Workers’ comp covers all the costs and bills related to recovering from your injury, including medical treatment and prescription drugs, lost wages, therapy and rehabilitation costs, and other injury-related expenses.
Workers’ comp also provides compensation for workers and their families if a worker has been permanently disabled or fatally injured on the job. Surviving family members are entitled to workers’ comp death benefits for lost wages, funeral expenses, and more.
What to Do if You’re Injured on the Job
If you have been injured at work, you need to follow the correct procedures to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. If you are injured at work:
- Get to safety. If possible, trigger a fire or emergency alarm, shut down working machinery, and get out of the path of danger to try to reduce immediate risk to yourself or others.
- Seek medical care. Pay immediate attention to your medical needs. Use first aid, call 911, and ask for help to look after your injury.
- Notify your supervisor. As soon as it is safe to do so, notify your immediate supervisor of your accident or injury. This may just be a brief message or call to let them know, with a more thorough and detailed follow-up later.
- Create a detailed report. When you have received treatment and are out of harm’s way, write down a step-by-step description of the accident while it is fresh in your memory. Include as much detail as possible, with information like the names of witnesses or people present, photographs of the area or your injuries, or other relevant information.
- Fill out the paperwork. In most cases, your employer will send you a form or other document to report your accident. You can use this form for your description, or create a separate document if necessary. Include your full description of the incident/accident, and keep a copy for yourself when you return it to your employer.
- Contact the Texas Department of Insurance. Filing your workers’ comp claim is your employer’s responsibility, but it is always a good idea to contact the Division of Workers’ Compensation Insurance of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) yourself. That way you can make sure that your claim was filed correctly and on time.
In Texas, there is a statute of limitations on workers’ comp claims. You have 30 days to notify your employer of a work-related illness or injury, and one year to file your workers’ comp claim. Acting quickly helps ensure you get your maximum benefits.
How to File a Claim for Workers’ Comp
As mentioned above, workers’ comp is a type of insurance that is purchased and paid for by your employer, so they are usually the ones that file a claim. However, it is best to know how to file a claim yourself, so you can make sure that your claim has been filed correctly and on time.
To file your own workers’ comp claim, contact the Texas Department of Insurance. You can contact them by phone or by filling out the relevant documents online. You can also contact them with questions about your case.
How to Make Sure You Get Your Full Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If you’ve been injured at work, the immediate aftermath can be chaotic and stressful. Instead of focusing on rest and recovery, you may be focused on bills, paperwork, and financial worries. Here are some tips to make sure you get all the compensation you deserve:
- Keep track of all the documents. To make sure you are being compensated correctly, it’s important to keep copies of all the related documents like pay stubs, medical bills, and injury-related receipts.
- Consult with an attorney. If you are concerned about whether your workers’ comp claim is being settled correctly, or if you’re getting all the benefits you are entitled to, schedule a consultation with a workers’ comp lawyer. An experienced Texas workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand the process and determine whether you are being fairly compensated for your injury.
If you or a loved one have been injured at work and need help with your workers’ comp claim, the family-run law offices of Aaron Allison will give you a free consultation to better understand your case and fight for your rights. Contact us today.
