Richmond Workplace Injury Attorney
As an employee, you are entitled to work in a safe environment regardless of your occupation. Unfortunately, workplace injuries still occur every day in the Richmond area. If you have been injured while at work you are entitled to certain benefits and compensation. The experienced Richmond workplace injury attorneys at The West Law Office have zealously advocated for many clients hurt on the job and are here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation now.
Texas Workers’ Compensation
Texas is one of the states that does not require employers to carry workers’ compensation coverage. If an employer does not have workers’ compensation, an employee that is injured while on the job can sue for personal injury. If an employer does have workers’ compensation coverage, the employee is not allowed to sue for injuries but is entitled to certain benefits after an accident.
A workplace injury is covered under workers’ compensation regardless of fault, so long as it happened while the worker was in the scope and course of employment. The only exceptions to the rule are if the injury occurred because of horseplay, self-injury, intoxication, willful criminal acts, or because of a third party act unrelated to the job. After a covered workplace injury, an employee is entitled to medical benefits, income benefits, and death benefits for the family if the accident was fatal.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The first benefit afforded to workplace injury victims is medical benefits. An employer is required to cover all medical expenses associated with treatment for the workplace injury.
The next benefit mandated for injury victims is income benefits. Temporary income benefits range between seventy and 75 percent of the difference between the average weekly wages earned before an after the injury. Impairment income benefits are also available after a worker reaches maximum medical improvement and still has permanent loss or function. Supplemental income benefits are also available after impairment benefits reach their time limit in certain circumstances as well as lifetime income benefits for workers that sustain total disability injuries.
The final benefit available for workers is death benefits for family members in fatal accident. This covers all final medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and income benefits.
Employers Can Still Be Liable with Workers’ Compensation
There are some specific scenarios where an employer might be liable for damages even if they have workers’ compensation coverage. An employee may be eligible for additional compensation if the accident was caused by intentional harm, such as a supervisor assaulting an employee. An employer or manufacturer may be liable for damages if the accident was caused by a defective product or if the employee was injured by a toxic substance at work. A third party might also be held liable for damages if they contributed to the harm caused by the accident. An experienced workplace injury attorney will be able to review the facts of your case to determine all liable parties for your injuries and get you the compensation that you deserve.
Talk To Our Office
If you have been injured while on the job, call or contact The West Law Office in Richmond today to schedule a free case consultation with an experienced workplace injury attorney now.
