Navigating the Workers' Compensation System in Texas

Residents of the border town Roma make significant contributions to Texan culture. Whether you work at a Roma hospital, school, manufacturing site, or any other environment in the wider Starr County, you deserve rigorous advocacy after suffering a workplace injury.

The Texas attorneys at Carabin Shaw can help you handle the complex workers’ compensation system, along with any other procedures that your situation requires. If cost is a concern, rest assured that turning to Carabin Shaw presents no financial risk: initial consultations and case reviews are always free.

Calling the toll-free number 800-862-1260 is the first step toward legal counsel that could enormously impact the amount of money you receive. Moreover, our Spanish- and English-speaking staff members are available 24/7 by phone.

Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that the state of Texas regulates. If your employer participates in the program, then you’re eligible to receive benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses.

The types of covered injuries vary widely but include the following:

• Diagnosed diseases or impairments due to factors like chemical exposure and other environmental hazards
• Injuries that occur over time because of stress from repetitive tasks
• Sudden injuries from single incidents such as falls, electrocutions, or vehicle accidents

Because workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, you don’t need to prove that your employer caused your injuries through negligence. You might also be able to receive benefits if you caused or contributed to an accident.

However, some circumstances might disqualify you from benefits. If you believe you’ve been denied benefits unfairly because the insurance company claims one of these exceptions, an attorney can help you understand the most favorable legal actions available to you.

In addition to your right to hire a lawyer, you have the following rights through workers’ compensation:

• Receiving benefits such as payments for medical care and lost wages
• Collecting disability benefits if you can’t return to work due to your injury
• Receiving benefits for your family if the accident causes your death
• Choosing a medical care provider and receiving medical attention

Your Roma, Texas, work injury lawyers help you take all the necessary steps to protect these rights, including meeting all necessary deadlines.

In general, there are three basic steps at the beginning of the workers’ compensation process:

• Reporting your injury as soon as possible
• Visiting a professional for medical treatment and documentation
• Filing a Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) claim

Although these steps seem straightforward, navigating the workers’ compensation system in Texas can become complicated quite quickly. For instance, you might need to choose a doctor within a specified network and follow a long list of other guidelines.

Legal support can benefit you at any stage, but it becomes especially useful when you, your employer, or an insurance adjuster dispute the facts of your case.

When there are disagreements about a workers’ compensation claim, you can request a benefit review conference (BRC) to identify and discuss the disputes. In this case, your legal team can help you in the following ways:

• Making the strongest case for you at the conference by gathering and presenting relevant evidence
• Representing you at a contested case hearing if the parties still disagree
• Helping you appeal to the DWC Appeals Panel after an unfavorable hearing decision
• Filing a judicial appeal with the state if you don’t agree with the Appeals Panel decision
• Pursuing all other possible legal processes beyond workers’ compensation

Each action has specific deadlines and guidelines, and consistent legal expertise strengthens your case as you embark on what might be a long legal journey. Carabin Shaw’s client reviews attest to the attention you receive from our team at each step along the way.