Galveston Workplace Injury Lawyer

Galveston Workplace Injury Attorney

Suffering an injury while on the job can be a complicated and delicate situation. Thankfully, there are systems in place to ensure you get the resources you need if you’ve suffered a workplace injury. If you need help accessing the benefits you’re entitled to as an injured worker, a Galveston workplace injury lawyer from Stevenson & Murray can help put your claim on track for a successful resolution.

At Stevenson & Murray, our highly rated firm has developed a reputation throughout the Galveston area for handling difficult workplace injury cases with tact and efficiency. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that workplace accidents can take on working Texans and their families, and we’re here to help. If you need a Galveston personal injury lawyer who is dedicated to providing highly responsive, cost-effective legal support, look no further.

The workers’ compensation insurance system is designed to allow injured workers access to financial benefits on an expedited timeline, but in reality, securing these benefits can be easier said than done. The team at Stevenson & Murray is able to help injured workers and their families successfully navigate even the most complex and contentious of workplace injury claims.

Understanding Workplace Injuries in the State of Texas

Workplace injuries can unfortunately occur in any industry, ranging from minor incidents to severe, debilitating accidents that affect the course of a person’s entire life. Some common types of workplace injuries include:

• Slip and Fall Cases: Even a simple fall can result in serious injuries, especially if someone lands on their head, neck, or spine on a hard surface. These types of injuries may be caused by wet floors, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, or a lack of signage and safety infrastructure in hazardous areas.
• Car Accidents: Automobile crashes are an all-too-common cause of injuries. Car accidents can be considered work-related injuries when they occur during work-related travel or while operating a company vehicle in the course of performing job duties.
• Equipment Malfunctions: Industries in Galveston use all sorts of highly customized machinery to do work, and some of these devices pose inherent dangers to their operators. These injury risks are amplified when equipment breaks down or functions incorrectly. When it comes to industrial equipment, defective parts, shoddy installations, and inadequate maintenance can all lead to serious consequences for workers.
• Exposure to Hazardous Materials: Many Texas industries, such as oil refining, also use chemicals in the course of their day-to-day workflows. Defective safety equipment or inadequate safety protocols can lead to chemical burns, respiratory damage, and a litany of other potential health problems.

No matter the root cause or severity of your injury, seeking quality legal assistance from Stevenson & Murray is a great way to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you require to support yourself while you heal from your injuries.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance vs. Personal Injury Claims

In Texas, most private employers are not required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This is known as the voluntary participation model. However, they must inform their employees if they choose not to maintain workers’ comp insurance.

Workers’ comp provides key benefits to employees who are injured on the job. Benefits cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs directly associated with healing from an injury.

Workers’ compensation is a special form of “no-fault” insurance, meaning that claims can be processed without the need for an investigation or trial to determine whether the employer was at fault for the injury (rather than the employee’s own actions). While some injured workers balk at the idea of their employer shirking legal responsibility for their accident, the system allows workers to obtain cash benefits on an expedited timeline.

When employers have workers’ comp insurance, claims for workplace injuries usually need to be processed through the workers’ compensation system rather than pursued through a civil personal injury claim. However, you may be able to file a personal injury claim if your employer doesn’t participate in the program. This type of claim allows you to seek compensation for non-economic damages, unlike workers’ compensation claims.

While the workers’ comp system is in place to help workers access benefits, navigating it can be challenging, with claims often denied or underpaid. A workplace injury attorney from Stevenson & Murray can help you file your claim or appeal a denial, ensuring you receive all of the benefits you deserve. If you’re able to file a personal injury claim, we can help you do so.

FAQs

Q: Can I Sue My Employer for a Work Injury in Texas?

A: If your employer has workers’ comp insurance, you cannot typically sue them directly for a work injury in Texas. Most injury claims of this type will need to be processed through the state’s workers’ compensation insurance system. Workers’ comp provides injured workers with streamlined access to the funds they need to make ends meet during the recovery process.

If your employer doesn’t have workers’ comp insurance, you may be able to sue them.

Q: What Is the Workplace Injury Law in Texas?

A: Workplace injury law in Texas is informed by a complex web of interconnected state laws, federal labor rules, and industry-specific regulations. Texas differs from other states in that the workers’ compensation system operates on a voluntary participation model.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of these laws and learn which ones are specifically applicable to you, we recommend consulting directly with a Galveston workplace injury lawyer.

Q: How Does a Personal Injury Claim for a Workplace Accident Work in Texas?

A: A personal injury claim for a workplace accident starts with an injured party filing a claim with the appropriate local court authority. They can seek compensation from the at-fault party for the damages they caused.

In cases where a Texan is injured at work, and their employer has workers’ comp insurance, they may be unable to pursue a personal injury claim. Workers’ compensation is designed to streamline cases and bypass the need for employers to assume legal liability for workplace injuries.

Q: What Is the Employer’s Responsibility When a Worker Is Injured in Texas?

A: An employer has a number of responsibilities when a worker is injured in Texas. First, they must allow the worker to seek medical care for their injury. They must also keep an accurate and complete record of the injury.

If the injured worker files a workers’ compensation claim pursuant to the injury, the employer is responsible for engaging with that process in good faith. If you believe your employer is not acting responsibly in the aftermath of a work-related injury, please contact Stevenson & Murray to review your case.

Pursuing Compensation for Workplace Injuries in Galveston With Stevenson & Murray

At Stevenson & Murray, we are committed to helping everyday Texans secure the benefits they need to recover and move forward with their lives after a traumatic workplace injury. Our Galveston workplace injury team is ready to work tirelessly until you have received fair compensation for what you have suffered. Contact us today for help.