Experienced Houston Work Injury Lawyers
When you go to work each day, you should be able to leave as safely as you arrived. However, injuries and accidents at work do happen, and if they happen to you, you need the best work injury lawyer on your side that can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Texas Workplace Injuries Statistics
- More workplace deaths happen in Texas than any other state in the US.
- 527 workers died on the job in 2015.
- The number of workplace deaths in Texas continues to increase each year.
- Hispanics and Latinos experienced more workplace injuries and illnesses than any other ethnicity in 2015.
Is your Accident Covered by Worker’s Compensation Insurance?
Worker’s compensation insurance exists to protect injured employees, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. If you are hurt at work during your working hours and while performing your assigned tasks, chances are that you are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits.
You may not be eligible for benefits if you were:
- Breaking company policy
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Purposefully injuring yourself
- At work but off the clock
- Off company property, such as a company event
Your work accident attorney can help determine if you should receive worker’s compensation benefits or if other legal avenues that you can pursue are available to seek and recover compensation for your injuries, including lawsuits vs. your employer or against Third Parties.
Employee vs Employer Responsibilities
Your employer (or their worker’s compensation insurance carrier) is required to cover any medical expenses and lost wages that occur due to your injury at work. You may also be entitled to disability benefits, and death benefits in fatal cases. As an employee, you should seek medical care immediately if you are hurt at work. Report the accident immediately, and return to work as soon as you are able to do so without risking your health.
Work Accident FAQs
What should I do immediately following a workplace accident?
First, you should seek medical attention immediately. You should also report your injury to your supervisor as soon as possible. If you are able, you should take pictures of your injuries and the area where you received the injury. Write down any specific details about your accident, including names and contact information of witnesses, even if you don’t think they’re important. This can help you recall other important information later.
How long do I have to file a Workplace Injury Lawsuit?
In the state of Texas, you generally have up to two years from the day of your accident to file your claim against your employer or against an at-fault third-party.
What’s the difference between worker’s compensation and a workplace accident lawsuit?
Worker’s compensation is the insurance your employer provides which covers medical and other expenses if you are injured. If a third party contributed to your injury, you can pursue a lawsuit against that party to receive additional compensation. Additionally, if your employer does not have worker’s compensation insurance, they are deemed a “non-subscriber” and you can pursue a lawsuit against your employer as well.
What benefits should I receive from worker’s compensation insurance?
Your insurance benefits should cover your medical expenses incurred from your workplace injury. Your employer should also cover a percentage of the wages you miss due to your inability to work.
Third-party Work Accident Damages
Texas law encourages employers to have Worker’s Compensation insurance. Unfortunately, the coverage usually does not cover what is needed to fairly compensate you for your damages. You may be entitled to additional compensation if your case includes a third party that was responsible for your accident.
A third party is an individual or business that is not your employer, and that somehow contributed to your accident. An example of a third party case would be an accident involving a tool you were using on the job. You could receive worker’s compensation from your employer and a settlement from the manufacturer of the faulty tool.
If you suspect that a party other than your employer was responsible for your injury, your work related injury lawyer can help you pursue additional requests for compensation. These types of cases are usually more complex than employer-only worker’s compensation cases, and require the skill and knowledge of experienced work accident lawyers to get a successful verdict.
Types of Work Accidents We Handle
For your injury to quality as a work-related accident, it must have occurred while performing your assigned work tasks. Common industries that we’ve represented include:
- Construction site accidents
- At sea and Maritime
- Oil and drilling, onshore and offshore
- Industrial
- Manufacturing
- Trucking
- Commercial Fishing.
These industries expose workers to a number of potential threats, including
- Explosions and fires
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals or other materials
- Stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Work vehicle accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Machinery-related injuries
- Falling objects
- Overexertion
Your employer’s Workers Compensation insurance can cover these and other types of accidents, regardless of severity.
Types of Injuries Sustained
A single type of accident can create a multitude of injuries, which is why we treat each case on a unique basis. Some of the injuries we have helped clients receive compensation for include:
- Head injuries
- Spinal injuries
- 1st degree – 3rd degree Burns
- Muscle injuries, such as torn rotator cuffs, torn ligaments, and herniated discs
- Hearing damage or loss
- Amputation
- Broken bones
- Sickness due to exposure to hazardous materials
- Psychological injuries such as Pain, Suffering, and Mental Anguish
- Wrongful death
While some of these injuries may have been avoidable on your part, Worker’s Compensation insurance should provide payment regardless of who was at fault for the incident.
Why Partner With Us?
- We Prioritize You – We won’t accept your case unless we’re confident we can help you win.
- No Upfront Fees – We advance all expenses to litigate and settle your case, which you only repay if you win.
- We Come to You – We will meet with you in your hospital room, at home, or wherever you’re recovering.
- Our Clients Love Us – Our work injury attorneys in the Houston area are some of the top rated legal professionals.
- 24-7 Availability – Attorneys are available and ready to speak with you 24-7.
How a Work Injury Case Works
Start with a free, consultation with our legal team. If you decide to move forward, we’ll work with you to obtain the resources and information that will give you your best chance of winning your case. We’ll take care of all aspects of litigation of your case so you can focus on your physical and mental recovery. If we help you win your case, you pay us a percentage of what you receive. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
Call Padua Law Firm and Schedule your free consultation today with a work injury lawyer in Houston, TX!