A Comprehensive Guide for Work Accident Victims in Baytown

The ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown provides over 10 percent of the oil-processing capacity in the Gulf Coast refining district of Texas. Unfortunately, jobs in petrochemical processing come with numerous safety hazards: fire risks, toxin exposure, and the dangers of working with large machines—to name a few.

Whether you make your money in the refinery or another Baytown workplace, the top Texas attorneys at Carabin Shaw believe you deserve every resource possible following a work injury.

Although a lawyer can serve you at any point, you may take several steps before you secure legal counsel. As a result, knowing how to respond to a work accident serves both your healing and future legal action.

It’s important to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan, even if you think your injuries aren’t serious. In fact, many accident injuries appear or worsen later. A Baytown Tx work injury attorney can help you follow procedures for choosing the right providers.

You should follow your company’s protocol to report your injury in writing as soon as possible. In Texas, reporting to your employer within 30 days also keeps you eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

The deadline for filing a workers’ comp claim with the Texas Department of Insurance is less then one year. You should also report to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) if your employer retaliates against you. Your work injury lawyer in Baytown ensures that every necessary report is timely.

After a work injury, you’ll notice several opportunities to collect documentation. The following kinds of evidence can help an attorney prepare stronger claims on your behalf:

• Work accident report
• Medical records and bills
• Records of non-medical expenses related to the injury
• Your notes about your experience
• Photos of your injury or the accident scene
• Contact information of witnesses
• Police report (if there is one)

A Baytown workplace accident lawyer can elaborate on any of the legal rights protecting Texas workers outlined below.

Texas is the only state that doesn’t require private employers to offer workers’ compensation insurance. However, most private employers still do. This “no-fault” system protects employers from lawsuits and offers eligible employees benefits even if they’re partly responsible for the injuries.

Under Texas law, you have certain rights that include the following:

• To hire legal representation such as our team at Carabin Shaw
• If you’re eligible, to receive medical and income benefits
• If you’re an eligible beneficiary, to receive death benefits
• To dispute the insurance carrier’s decisions

A third party—an individual or company who isn’t a full-time employee—is sometimes responsible for injuries. If a company hired you as a contractor or vendor, rather than a full-time employee, you might also be able to sue for damages. No matter your case, Carabin Shaw’s client reviews demonstrate how we research and pursue every valid course of action.

Research literature suggests that negative interactions between injured workers and insurers contribute to poorer health outcomes for the workers. The claims process puts an added burden on employees who might need to endure lengthy appeals and negotiations while also trying to heal.

Thus, a comprehensive guide for work accident victims in Baytown still doesn’t compare to the guidance of expert legal aid.

At Carabin Shaw, staff members who speak both English and Spanish are available 24/7, toll-free at 800-862-1260. To ease the process of finding legal support, we offer free initial consultations and case reviews. By working with us, you gain a team of advocates who consider your complete experience, including your pain, priorities, and long-term needs.

For more information:

• EIA
• OSHA
• Springer Link