The border town of Weslaco thrives on manufacturing and industry, which are hazardous businesses with their share of serious work injuries. Injuries can happen instantly but last a lifetime, affecting your ability to work or function daily. When your survival depends on collecting compensation, the Weslaco TX work injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw can help. Check our reviews to see how we’ve assisted other workplace accident victims and contact us at 800-862-1260.
Workplace injuries are more than an inconvenience for Weslaco residents. Severe injuries may permanently impact your ability to perform your current job, resulting in job restrictions or a transfer to another position. In 2022, one in every 200 Texas workers faced this reality, often affecting earning potential and job security. Compensation from workers’ comp, your employer, or a third party is critical to keep the bills paid and food on the table while you adjust to a new way of life.
What is Serious Bodily Injury?A serious bodily injury carries a substantial risk of obvious disfigurement, death, debilitation or amputation of a body part, deterioration of mental function, or damage to an internal organ. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the impairment renders a body part’s function useless or substantially reduced. It may be temporary or permanent and may include:
They are also known as catastrophic injuries, resulting in temporary or permanent disability. They often require emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, and long-term physical or occupational therapy.
Is Workers’ Comp Sufficient for a Serious Injury in Texas?Injured employees in Weslaco often turn to workers’ comp to cover lost wages and medical bills. Texas is the only state in the country that does not require private companies to carry workers’ comp insurance for their employees, but most companies do. The insurance is not designed to protect employees. It protects employers from lawsuits and large settlements when an employee is seriously injured.
Workers’ compensation offers standard coverage for medical bills and some lost wages. Severe injuries may also be eligible for impairment and lifetime income benefits. Lifetime income benefits are designed for the most severe injuries and provide 75% of your average weekly wage with a 3% annual increase.
Workers’ comp benefits can seem quite generous - at first. However, severe injuries can be costly and many victims find that workers’ compensation doesn’t stretch far enough to cover expenses when life is forever changed. Unfortunately, when you accept workers’ comp benefits, you cannot file a lawsuit against your employer for additional damages in most cases. An attorney can help you determine the best way to pursue compensation.
When Can I File a Weslaco TX Work Injury Lawsuit?In some situations, employees can file a personal injury claim instead of accepting workers’ compensation. If your employer's negligence created an unsafe work environment that led to your injuries, a personal injury lawsuit may provide additional compensation for non-economic losses like pain and suffering. That’s why it’s best to consult with seriously injured worker lawyers in Weslaco Texas before signing on the bottom line of your workers’ compensation claim.
You can also file a third-party lawsuit if another person or entity is responsible for your injuries. For example, defective brakes on a worksite vehicle or an equipment malfunction may have contributed to the accident. If a third party is liable for your injuries, your lawyer can file a third-party lawsuit even if you collect workers’ compensation from your employer.
Don’t Suffer Alone. Top Weslaco TX Work Accident Attorneys at Carabin Shaw, Call for a Free Case Review Today!Serious injuries can permanently affect your ability to work and your quality of life. Don’t suffer alone. Our team helps workplace accident victims collect the compensation they need to recover from their injuries while covering their lost wages. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, and we provide free case reviews so you can consider your legal options free of charge until we win your case. We have Spanish- and English-speaking representatives available 24/7 at 800-862-1260.
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