After a Work Injury in San Antonio: What Now?

If you were injured on the job in San Antonio, you might be wondering how to move forward, what steps to take next, or whether or not you need a lawyer. And Texas, unlike other states, does not require an employer to have workers' compensation coverage, which can make it even harder for you to get the compensation you need.

There are many key steps you need to take in order to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve after an accident at work. Our knowledgeable San Antonio work accident lawyers have compiled a list of immediate actions if you’re currently thinking, “I’m overwhelmed after a work injury in San Antonio, what now?” or if you’re wondering, “Do I really need to contact a work accident attorney near me?”

The first thing to do after you’ve been hurt is to see a doctor. If you suspect a serious injury, go to the emergency room immediately.

If the injury does not appear to be serious, ask your employer if they have a requirement for which physician you ought to see. If you are required to visit a particular doctor by your employer, our Texas personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw highly recommend that you still get a second opinion from a physician of your choosing, especially if you have concerns with the initial doctor’s visit.

If there are visible signs of injury, you should take photos, which may serve as important documentation later, especially if you end up hiring a lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim.

This step is crucial in receiving workers compensation and should be done as soon as possible, because many states require an accident report to be filed in a fixed time period after the injury has occurred. As our Texas work injury attorneys know all too well, many workplace injuries may not become apparent until weeks have passed. For this reason, it is very important to report ALL workplace accidents, even if you don’t think you have been injured.

It is the responsibility of your employer to file your workers’ comp claim with their insurance company, but you are entitled to receive a copy of the claim filed by your employer. Make sure to request this documentation to ensure that your request is filed on time.

Did you know that in San Antonio, workers’ compensation insurance legally limits the amount and type of compensation that an injured employee can receive? If you know—or suspect—that your workers’ comp sum won’t cover the extent of your injuries, you should call a San Antonio work injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Unlike workers’ comp, personal injury settlements don’t have a fixed limit, and will allow you to receive compensation for injuries that are frequently not covered by workers’ comp (such as pain and suffering, lost income, or emotional distress).

Our San Antonio work injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw have worked with several clients whose employers did not have workers’ compensation, and we’ve gotten them the financial help they needed through filing a personal injury lawsuit. Our San Antonio workers’ compensation lawyers have also helped clients whose workers’ comp benefits were insufficient in covering medical expenses.

Work injuries are stressful and overwhelming, but Carabin Shaw’s San Antonio workers’ compensation lawyers are here to help you find your best path forward, and we offer all clients a free consultation. It’s important to understand your options in the wake of your San Antonio workplace injury, so give us a call today at 210-222-2288.