If you are injured at work and your employer does not subscribe to workers’ compensation, there are a few things you should know. Here we explain what every Texan should know when injured at a non-subscriber workplace.
What is a Non-Subscriber Workplace?
In Texas, employers have the option to choose not to provide workers’ compensation benefits to their employees. If your injury is a result of your employer’s negligence you still have a right to seek compensation for your injuries. However, you might not even realize your work-related accident is the fault of your employer, so it is important to know what to do when injured at work.
Understand the Full Extent of Your Injuries
First, be sure you have a thorough examination from a qualified doctor who will look at the extent of your injuries. This is very important as your injuries might not seem so serious now, but could lead to issues down the road. If your injury was truly minor and you did not require medical attention at all, or you missed no time off work due to your injuries, then you might not need to consider speaking to a lawyer. However, a free consultation makes it easy to err on the side of caution and find out more about your rights.
Never Agree to a Settlement
Next, if your injuries did require time off work or any form of medical care or rehabilitation that you had to pay for, your employer might decide to offer to pay for some or all of your medical bills, salary, etc. However, it is always in your best interest to consult with a work injury lawyer before accepting any form of compensation. They will advise you whether you should accept or seek further damages.
Understanding Your Employer’s Negligence
It is possible your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence. But how can you prove this or even know this is true? Most people don’t realize that even if their employer was only 1% negligent, they are entitled to full compensation. If you don’t take steps to look into the cause of your accident, you will never know for sure if your employer caused your accident. A workplace injury attorney will conduct the investigation to help prove your employer was at fault allowing you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Resolving Disputes with Your Non-subscriber Employers
If your employer disputes how much they are willing to pay, or even argues your injuries were not as severe as you claim, always speak to a workplace injury lawyer. Your injuries could entitle you to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
You should be looking at all of these damages to ensure you receive the full value of your injuries. The more serious your injuries, the more negatively they impact your life. When faced with life-altering injuries, the need for surgery, or ongoing therapy, a lawyer will ensure you receive the settlement that covers your losses even if the money must cover costs for the rest of your life.
Also, your employer might try to blame your injuries on a pre-existing injury or condition to try to avoid paying damages. A workplace injury lawyer can help show this isn’t true.
If you were injured at a non-subscriber workplace, or a loved one suffered severe injury or even death, speak to the Malley team to learn about your rights to compensation.
