Texas Laws on Workers' Compensation

The Texas Workers’ Compensation Act was passed in 1987 to address workers’ and employers’ complaints about the high costs of medical treatment and the expensive, time-consuming lawsuits many employees filed to receive compensation for their workplace injuries. Under this law, all employers are required to help employees cover the medical costs of injuries or illnesses that they receive from their work environments.

Rights Guaranteed by the Act

If you are injured on your workplace, state law entitles you to:

• Benefits for your injury, unless certain conditions make your employer non-responsible: for example, if your injuries were caused by you being intoxicated.
• Necessary medical care
• A choice of doctor, either from your company’s health care network, or from the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Approved Doctors list.
• Complete confidentiality about your medical information
• Free assistance from the Office of Injured Employee Counsel
• The option of hiring an attorney to help you with the process

Responsibilities Required by the Act

If you wish to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must:

• Notify your employer within 30 days of your injury
• Let your doctor know that you were injured on the job
• Submit a claim form
• Tell the Division of Workers’ Compensation and your insurance provider if there is any change in your employment status or salary.

While workers’ compensation is a useful tool for employers and employees alike, it is not enough to ensure that you will receive whatever medical treatment you may require throughout your life.

The Importance of Texas Health Insurance

To protect yourself and your family from the financial risks of inadequate coverage, contact Option 1 today to explore your Texas health insurance options.