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Houston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Houston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Were you or a loved one injured on the job in Houston, TX? Find out what you’re entitled to under Texas workers’ compensation laws by calling Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers today. An experienced Houston workers’ compensation lawyer can determine whether you have a right to workers’ comp benefits or damages under Texas personal injury laws.

Our team has been dedicated to providing top-quality legal advice to clients in the Houston area since we founded our law firm in 2006. We’ve recovered billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our efforts, including some of the largest accident recoveries in state history.

Texas workers’ comp laws are complex. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact our law offices in Houston, Texas, to schedule a free consultation at (888) 603-3636.

Table of Contents

Why Call Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help With My Houston Workers’ Compensation Claim? 

Why Call Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help With My Houston Workers’ Compensation Claim? 

Your injuries are already forcing you to miss time at work. That probably means you’re in pain and enduring ongoing medical treatment. Worrying about money is the last thing you need. Unfortunately, getting the benefits you deserve isn’t always easy.

Give yourself time to rest and recover. Hire an experienced Houston personal injury lawyer to advocate on your behalf. When you hire our trusted team at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers, you’ll benefit from attorneys who will:

  • Determine the fair value of your benefits claim
  • Protect you if your employer claims your injuries aren’t work-related
  • Handle the paperwork and make sure you meet the deadlines
  • Protect you if your employer retaliates against you for filing a claim
  • Represent you in any hearings and through the appeals process
  • Advocate for you if your doctor pushes you to return to work too soon

Don’t leave your future financial security to chance. Our undefeated Houston personal injury attorneys have handled cases like yours–and we’re prepared to fight for you. Your case review is completely free, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help today.

Workers’ Compensation in Texas

Work-related injuries and illnesses can have both immediate and long-term impacts. Medical bills can pile up quickly and you may be unable to work and earn a living. Personal injury lawsuits take money, energy and, importantly, time.

Workers’ compensation is meant to provide a solution. Workers’ comp benefits give injured workers the right to receive benefits to offset their costs without filing a lawsuit and without proving that someone else caused their injuries.

That said, workers’ comp in Texas is different from most states. Employers in Texas aren’t required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. 

Employers in Texas have the option to:

  • Carry traditional workers’ compensation insurance
  • Buy private insurance to cover the cost of workplace injury and illness
  • Carry no insurance and face personal injury lawsuits if employees are injured on the job

It’s really a trade-off for employers. Employers who carry workers’ comp are protected against personal injury lawsuits even if their negligence causes an employee’s injury or illness. Employers who don’t carry workers’ comp save on premium costs, but can be sued for damages.

How Do I Know Whether I’m Entitled to Workers’ Comp Benefits After a Workplace Accident in Houston?

First, your employer must be a “subscribing employer.” Subscribing employers are those who carry workers’ comp insurance. Your employer is required to provide notice about their decision to subscribe or remain uninsured.

If your employer subscribes to workers’ comp, you’re entitled to benefits if:

  • You were an employee
  • You have suffered a work-related injury or illness

Injuries and illnesses are considered “work-related” when they are sustained in the course of employment. Generally, workers’ comp kicks in any time you are harmed while performing your job responsibilities.

If your employer is a non-subscribing employer, don’t panic. Contact a lawyer to learn about your right to file a workplace injury lawsuit for damages.

What Types of Compensation Does Workers’ Compensation in Texas Provide?

Workers’ compensation provides two key types of benefits: medical expense coverage and wage replacement benefits. Assuming you visit an approved doctor and follow the rules, workers’ comp will cover all of your reasonable and necessary medical bills.

The types of wage replacement benefits you receive will depend on the nature of your injuries, as follows:

  • Temporary income benefits (TIBs) if you miss work for at least seven days and lose income due to the disability
  • Impairment income benefits (IIBs) if you suffer a permanent injury that impacts your body as a whole
  • Supplemental income benefits (SIBs), if your impairment rating is at least 15% after your IIBs are exhausted and you’re unable to earn more than 80% of your prior earnings
  • Lifetime income benefits (LIBs) for certain permanent injuries, including blindness, brain damage, amputations, and severe burns
  • Death benefits for survivors of fatal accidents, including burial costs

If you were hurt on the job, call our Houston workers’ compensation attorneys to make sure you’re getting the full benefits you deserve today.

What Is My Houston Workers’ Compensation Case Worth?

Your case value depends on different factors, including:

  • Your average weekly wages (AWW) prior to the disability
  • The length of your recovery period
  • Your impairment rating after you reach maximum medical improvement
  • Whether you’ll ever be able to earn as much as you did prior to the disability
  • Whether you have a right to file a lawsuit for additional damages

Your AWW is calculated based on your wages during the 13-week period prior to the disability. When calculating your AWW, remember that things like health insurance, overtime, and other employment benefits are also factored in.

However, your wage replacement check is also subject to a statewide cap. In 2024, temporary income benefits, lifetime income benefits, and death benefits are limited to $1,174 per week. Supplemental income benefits are capped at $822 per week.

Am I Entitled To File a Lawsuit for Additional Damages?

You can file a personal injury lawsuit for damages if any of the following are true:

  • Your employer is a non-subscriber
  • Someone other than your employer is responsible for your injuries or illness
  • Your employer intentionally caused your condition

Injured employees with successful lawsuits tend to take home higher compensation awards. Personal injury victims can seek compensation for their non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. Workers’ comp, of course, is limited to compensating for a portion of your financial losses.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer in Texas?

Like many other lawyers, our Houston workers’ compensation attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. There aren’t any fixed or upfront fees when you hire us. Instead, our attorney’s fees are calculated as a percentage of the compensation we recover in your case.

If we don’t recover compensation for you, we don’t get paid for our work. Learn more about the contingency fee system by giving us a call today to schedule your free consultation. 

Yes. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You’re entitled to receive benefits even if you’re responsible for your own injuries. 

Texas modified comparative negligence rules only come into play if you can file a personal injury lawsuit. When you share blame in personal injury cases, your compensation will be reduced–possibly to zero if your percentage of fault reaches 51%.

If you hire us, our lawyers will respond to allegations of shared fault effectively, aiming to make sure you receive the full value of your claim.

How Common Are Workers’ Compensation Claims in Texas?

In 2022 alone, employers in Texas reported about 160,000 non-fatal workplace injuries. Roughly 114,500 work-related injuries were serious enough to require time off or job restrictions that year. 

We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Workplace Injuries

At Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers, we often handle work injury claims involving:

  • Facial injuries
  • Burns 
  • Broken bones
  • Nerve damage
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Concussions
  • Back injuries
  • Organ damage
  • Hearing loss
  • Vision loss
  • Amputations
  • Paralysis
  • Catastrophic injuries
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

It never hurts to learn about your legal options after a work injury or illness. Contact our law firm today to get started.

We Handle All Types of Workplace Accident Claims in Houston

Our team has the skills to handle any type of workers’ compensation claim, including those involving:

  • Construction accidents, including scaffolding accidents, slip and falls and accidents involving heavy machinery
  • Violation of state and OSHA safety regulations
  • Missing safety or fall protection
  • Failure to properly train or supervise employees
  • Hiring unqualified workers (negligent hiring)
  • Dangerous property conditions
  • Defective work equipment or tools
  • Negligently maintained work equipment
  • Car and trucking accidents
  • Workplace violence

If you or a family member were injured on the job, don’t hesitate to contact us for legal advice. 

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim for Workers’ Compensation After a Work Accident in Texas?

To protect your right to workers’ comp benefits, you must notify your employer within 30 days of the accident or diagnosis. In personal injury cases, the statute of limitations gives you two years to file a lawsuit.

In any event, if you wait too long, you risk losing your right to valuable compensation. Since there are exceptions to these time limits in some cases, it’s best to contact us as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Contact a Record-Setting Houston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Were you injured on the job in Houston? Do you have questions about your right to workers’ comp benefits? Contact Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for a free consultation today. An undefeated Houston workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate any challenges you may face.

Workers’ Compensation Infographic

Workers' Compensation Infographic

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