When you suffer a workplace injury or illness, your first concern should be your physical and emotional well-being. You should focus on recovering and not have to worry about how you will pay for the medical treatments you need. Many people assume they will automatically receive workers’ compensation benefits after an on-the-job injury but workers in Texas should never presume this. Hobby Lobby workers’ compensation claims in Houston are often more complicated because they can involve non-subscriber claims.
If you suffered harm due to your job duties, a dedicated legal professional might be able to help you pursue compensation for your losses.
When people think of dangerous jobs, they often think of construction workers, factory workers, police officers, and firefighters – not retail workers. At first glance, retail stores do not seem like dangerous places to work because they do not have industrial equipment, complicated machinery, or heavy cargo. Most retail store employees also do not work at high elevations, like people who work on construction sites.
However, accidents occasionally occur at retail stores. Even stores like Hobby Lobby that primarily sell arts and crafts are not immune from workplace accidents. Hobby Lobby workers in Houston could suffer the following types of on-the-job injuries:
Although the Hobby Lobby storefronts do not have large machinery, there are warehouses where the company stores merchandise that can produce a severe injury.
Some of these injuries can significantly impact a worker’s health and future well-being. As they wait to recover, they might have to take time away from their job, which could lead to even more uncertainty and emotional pain. An experienced personal injury attorney could help the injured employee carefully assess their losses in order to pursue an adequate damages award in a civil suit.
Most states require their employers to provide insurance coverage for their workers under state workers’ compensation plans. In Texas, private employers can elect to be non-subscribers, which means they do not have to follow the same rules and guidelines.
Non-subscribers can set their own terms for providing benefits to injured workers and can offer different benefits. Another difference from traditional workers’ compensation plans is that non-subscriber policies are not exclusive. With workers’ compensation insurance, injured employees cannot sue their employer if they accept workers’ comp benefits. Non-subscriber plans allow injured employees to pursue justice in civil claims when their employer’s negligence caused or contributed to the harm they suffered.
If an injured Hobby Lobby worker in Houston has concerns about a non-subscriber plan, they should consult with an informed attorney who could offer insight into their best path for financial recovery.
In addition to causing physical and financial hardship, workplace accidents can lead to confusion about how you can hold someone accountable. You might not know where to turn to recover benefits from your employer. Schechter, Shaffer & Harris has had great results in helping injured workers recover their rightful benefits under both traditional workers’ compensation plans and non-subscriber programs. They could take the time to thoroughly explain the recovery process so you know what your next move is.
Hobby Lobby worker’s compensation claims in Houston might appear complicated but that does not mean you cannot recover what you deserve. Speak to the legal team to get started today.
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