In Texas, employers have the choice to be what is called a non-subscriber. This means they opt out of workers’ compensation. This can be complicated for workers who suffer an injury on the job. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to seek compensation. Therefore it’s important to know your rights when you work in a Texas non-subscriber workplace.
Don’t Assume the Accident is Your Fault
Some employers try to bully employees into thinking the accident was their own fault. However, there are far more scenarios where the injury resulted due to your employer’s negligence. While you might feel this is difficult to prove, you can work with a personal injury attorney to help show your accident was due to your employer’s negligence.
In fact, your employer doesn’t even have to be 100% responsible. It could be they shared the blame. However, if they were even slightly involved in the contributing factors that led to your accident, you are entitled to full compensation. It is within your rights to investigate the cause of your accident, without any repercussions from your employer. A workplace injury attorney will protect your rights, conduct the investigation, and ensure your employer does not penalize you for your actions.
You Don’t Have to Sign a Settlement to Receive Compensation
This is very important when you suffer an injury at work. Many employers will immediately offer a settlement to help cover your medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. However, these settlements are never enough to cover everything you are due. Although it might seem like a large amount of money, never sign anything without consulting a personal injury lawyer first.
Remember, you really have no idea what to expect when it comes to your expenses. An attorney has managed hundreds of cases and understands the cost implications of workplace injuries. They look not only at your medical expenses but every aspect of your financial losses as well as how your injuries might impact your life. You deserve compensation for missed salary, pain and suffering and possibly more depending on the extent of your injuries and the liability of your employer.
You Have a Right to Fair Compensation from Non-subscriber Employers
It is not uncommon for non-subscriber employers to try to get out of paying compensation. This often involves accusations your injuries are not severe. You have a right to pursue medical advice and prove your injuries are severe, life-altering, and expensive, so you get compensated for everything you are entitled to including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
A personal injury lawyer will look at the full value of your injuries considering all aspects of how your injury impacts your life. If you suffer life-altering injuries, require ongoing therapy, or even require surgery, all of these factors impact how much you deserve in your settlement. Life-altering injuries impact your earning capabilities, and you deserve to be compensated for the money lost over the course of your life.
If you were injured at a Texas 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.
