In Texas, most private employers do not have to carry workers’ compensation insurance—and that includes most factories. As a result, when you suffer injuries at work, you will need to file a claim against your employer to recover compensation for the losses you have faced. If you are filing a non-subscriber claim against your employer, a Hitchcock factory workers injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Common Dangers in Factories
Factory floors can have a number of potential dangers that pose a risk to employees on the floor.
- Slip and fall hazards: Slippery floors, clutter, or cords spread across the path can all raise the risk of a slip and fall accident
- Falls from heights: Some factories have higher areas that workers can fall from, causing severe injuries
- Dangerous equipment: Failing to follow proper safety precautions when maintaining and running equipment can lead to severe injuries when using that common equipment
- Falling objects: Objects that fall from heights can pose a serious danger of head and back injuries
- Hazardous chemicals: Some factories regularly use chemicals that can pose a serious danger to workers
- Repetitive motions: Workers who perform the same repetitive motions over and over have a serious risk of repetitive motion injuries
- Noise exposure: Many factories are incredibly noisy environments, which can cause hearing damage or loss
Many factories may also fail to provide their workers with adequate safety equipment or training, all of which can raise the risk of serious injuries.
Compensation for Workplace Injuries
Workers who suffer an injury at work may have the right to file a claim that will provide them with compensation for the damages they sustained. Texas requires nonsubscribers to have a plan in place that will allow workers to access the same benefits they could recover if the worker was able to file a claim through workers comp. However, in many cases, the employee may have to file a direct claim against their employer.
Compensation for workplace injuries often starts with the medical costs faced by the injured worker. Factory injuries in Hitchcock often involve serious damage to the body and a long road to compensation. The injured worker may need to go through significant medical procedures, which can send medical bills rising high. Workers may also face the risk of future medical needs due to their injuries, which they can include in the claim. In addition, workers may miss time on the job, so they can include compensation for their lost wages in the claim. When workers cannot return to the job, they can include compensation for lost earning potential.
Nonsubscriber claims also involve compensation for the worker’s suffering. This category, known as general damages, can cover the non-financial losses factory workers can face because of their injuries. A Hitchcock factory workers injury lawyer can help injured workers go over the damages they sustained and include them in the claim.
Contact a Hitchcock Factory Workers Injury Lawyer Today
If you suffered injuries on the job in a factory with a nonsubscriber employer, you need a Hitchcock factory workers injury lawyer on your side, fighting to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Employers may fight to minimize the damages they have to pay out, while employees who suffer serious injuries need to maximize it as much as possible to pay their bills and manage their losses. Reach out to Schechter, Shaffer, & Harris today to learn more.