Slip and fall accidents due to unsafe conditions are one of the top hazards employees face. The first step should always be to get medical attention for your work-related injury. After that, there are important next steps you should take to exercise your legal rights with a Texas lawyer.

Report the Incident

Alert your employer right away that you fell and suffered injuries on their premises. Provide details of exactly where, when, and how you fell. Request to fill out an official incident report and ask for a copy for your records once completed. Getting the details formally documented creates a critical paper trail essential for work-related injuries.

Identify the Cause of the Fall

Identify and photograph what caused your fall. Was it a slippery, wet floor lacking caution signs? Loose produce or debris in the aisles? Unstable displays or mats? Documenting the dangerous condition that led directly to the accident is key evidence. Take close-up photos from multiple angles as proof.

Factories are packed with dangerous equipment, powerful machinery, and hazardous chemicals. Unsurprisingly, workers in the manufacturing industry face an increased risk of injury or death in a work accident. If you or a loved one were injured while working in a factory, it is important to understand your rights under Texas Law.

Unlike some states, Texas does not require employers to get workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. However, even if an employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, there are still legal avenues available for injured workers to recover compensation.

Financial Compensation after an Industrial Accident

Although government agencies like OSHA require that certain safety standards are met in factories, this does not completely eliminate the risk of a serious or even deadly accident. Falling objects, electrical accidents, heavy machinery accidents, equipment malfunctions, and explosions are just some of the dangers factory workers may be exposed to.

Most people who work in riskier jobs are very familiar with Workers’ Compensation. It is a very well-known program that allows workers who get hurt on the job to have things like their medical bills and lost wages covered. Texas is fairly unique in that employers are not required to subscribe to Workers’ Compensation. Most other states do not give companies any choice in the matter. In Texas, however, many employers choose to forego Workers’ Compensation and opt for a different type of insurance. If you get injured at work, you should be covered under your employer’s insurance if they do not use Workers’ Compensation. If you were hurt at work and your company is a non-subscriber, you may have a few extra challenges while pursuing compensation. Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. is ready to fight for compensation on your behalf. 

The Differences Between Workers’ Comp and Self-Insured Claims 

Workers’ Compensation was designed and intended to create a streamlined process for injured workers to file a claim and start being compensated. Dealing with a non-subscriber can be a little more difficult. Rather than working with a public program, you will be up against a private insurance company. 

Like any other type of insurance company, they are interested more in profiting than making sure you have the compensation you need after a workplace injury. If you have ever needed compensation from a car insurance company, you have a fair idea of what to expect. This is one of the main reasons why you need an attorney to handle your non-subscriber claim. 

You are probably familiar with workers’ compensation. It is a specialized type of insurance that most employers pay for so that if a worker gets injured on the job, the insurance company pays the claim. In most states, workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for most employers to carry. This is not the case in Texas. Some Texas employers opt-out of purchasing this type of insurance. These employers are referred to as non-subscribers. Should an employee of a non-subscriber become injured at work, the company itself may be liable to their injured employee. However, rather than simply filing a claim with an insurance company, you may need to take your employer to court. If you got hurt at work and your company does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, you should prepare for a potential lawsuit and contact an attorney immediately. 

How is the Claims Process Different if my Employer is a Non-Subscriber?

Getting compensation for your workplace injury can be somewhat more difficult. You will most likely need help from a qualified attorney, as the process can be difficult to navigate and may require litigation. However, if your litigation is successful, there are a few distinct advantages of working for a non-subscriber. 

Some key differences include: