No matter what kind of job you do, you can be injured at work. Even someone in an office setting can suffer an accident at work that leads to significant medical expenses. State and federal regulations protect employees, but you may need a work injury lawyer to guide you through the process of obtaining the financial compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other costs.
Julie Wolf of Wolf Law PLLC understands how to pursue successful work injury claims. Insurance companies often work to minimize or deny your claim. The best way to protect your rights is to use a work injury lawyer in Dallas with the experience and skill to help you.
Can I Get Compensated If I Am Hurt on the Job?
Employees in every industry have options when they are injured at work. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, companies can choose to carry workers’ compensation insurance by purchasing coverage, but Texas remains the only state in the country that does not require employers to carry this coverage. If your employer carries workers’ comp insurance, you cannot sue them; however, other parties working on the jobsite and involved in the accident may be responsible and sued directly.
If your employer is a non-subscriber, meaning it chooses not to carry comp insurance, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them as there is no “comp bar” – meaning you are not prevented from suing your employer.
In cases where the person at fault is not directly related to your work, such as a contractor on a construction site, you can file a third-party lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries. In all of these situations, you will benefit from the services of a skilled work injury attorney to ensure you do not miss anything that you deserve.
Third-Party Lawsuits and When You Can File One
Third-party claims seek damages from parties such as individuals, equipment manufacturers, or outside service companies. Because these lawsuits are not filed against your employer, it is possible to receive compensation from a civil suit against one or more of these third parties. These cases often involve products liability and other areas of law, so hiring an experienced work injury attorney is critical to securing the maximum payout.
What Happens If My Work Injury Is Not Reported?
If you do not report your work injury, you risk losing any chance of seeking reimbursement from either workers’ compensation or a personal injury lawsuit. The first thing an insurance adjuster will ask for is proof that the injury happened while you were at work. If you fail to notify management of the accident, it can be difficult to impossible to establish a timeline of injury and treatment.
The incident report, filed as soon as possible and ideally in writing, is the first piece of evidence proving that you are eligible for benefits. Without a timely report, you will be left paying for your own expenses. Not reporting the accident also affects your ability to file a lawsuit since the at fault party’s attorneys will question why you did not report the accident right away.
How Long Do You Have to Report an Injury at Work?
Shock and pain from a work accident can keep you from thinking clearly. Your first concern is receiving care for your injury. However, many companies have policies about when you must report any workplace injury. Some employers require notice within 24 hours, but Texas allows up to 30 days to file a report.
It is recommended that you report the incident to your supervisor right away, ideally as a written account of what happened. The sooner you report the accident, the better. It is valuable to establish evidence and a timeline of injury and treatment immediately in case the responsible party tries to claim your injuries and/or other damages are not related to the work accident.
Once you have reported your injury and received any medical treatment, you should hire a work injury attorney. No insurance company likes to pay claims, and you may face accusations that your injury happened at home or that a pre-existing condition caused your pain. Your attorney will protect your rights.
Why Do You Need a Work Injury Lawyer?
Understanding legal technicalities, such as when to make a personal injury claim, is difficult when you are recovering from injuries from safety hazards in the workplace. Using a work injury lawyer means you can heal while your attorney takes care of the details to get you paid sooner. Your lawyer can listen to your story and work out the best approach for your situation.
A skilled work injury attorney can help you with:
- Determining if you have a valid claim
- Filing paperwork correctly and on time
- Gathering evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating with insurance representatives
- Making sure you see the right doctor for your injuries
- Pursuing a personal injury and/or third-party claim
- Calculating the damages you are owed
While many workplace injuries are obvious, others can be harder to diagnose until days or weeks later. A lacerated hand clearly needs surgery, but mental trauma from seeing equipment explode where you work each day is more difficult to quantify. Seeing the right doctors who can diagnose all your wounds is crucial to keep you from returning to work when you are still hurt.
What Questions Julie Wolf Will Ask In A Free Initial Consultation
- Where did the injury occur? What was the location of the accident?
- Did it happen during work hours?
- Did your work injury occur during the course and scope of your employment / while you were performing your job duties?
- Does your employer have workers’ compensation insurance or a work injury plan?
- Did your employer send you to a company doctor?
- Are you receiving the level of medical care you feel you need from the company doctors?
- Were there other companies working on the jobsite with you?
- Were you a temporary worker or working through a staffing agency?
- What type of injuries did you suffer?
- Have you returned to work?
Contact Julie Wolf as Your Dallas Work Injury Lawyer Today
Free Case Evaluation
Being injured on the job can drastically change your life and leave you with astronomical bills if you do not know how to seek compensation. Julie Wolf is an experienced Dallas work injury lawyer who has the skills needed to negotiate with insurance representatives and defense counsel successfully. She is also ready to pursue personal injury and products liability lawsuits when warranted.
Call the offices of Wolf Law PLLC at (972) 338-4477 today to schedule a free consultation.
