Pilgrim’s Pride Workers’ Compensation Claims in Houston

With over 35,000 employees, as well as facilities in both the United States and Mexico, Pilgrim’s Pride is one of the biggest producers of chicken products in North America. It is also one of the many companies that has chosen to be a “non-subscriber” in Texas, in order to take advantage of the state’s unique status as the only place in America where no employers are legally required to maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

This means if you were recently hurt while working for this company, the steps you need to take to recover financially for your injuries may look different from those that a worker in another state might take. When it comes to getting good results from Pilgrim’s Pride workers’ compensation claims in Houston, get assistance from a seasoned workplace injury attorney who knows exactly how to handle your situation.

What Is a “Non-Subscriber” Workplace?

In most states, employers of certain sizes, and who do business in certain industries, are required by law to purchase workers’ compensation coverage for every one of their employees, including both part-time and full-time. However, Texas allows companies that do not want to purchase workers’ comp insurance to designate themselves as “non-subscribers,” provided they fulfill a few procedural requirements.

Being a “non-subscriber” company does have some benefits besides saving money on insurance coverage. Chief among them is that the company does not automatically assume liability for injuries sustained by their workers on the job like they would have if they had workers’ comp coverage. There is also a big drawback for non-subscribers that can sometimes serve as a huge benefit for workers: they are not immune from being held directly liable for on-the-job injuries caused by their own negligence.

Put simply, if a Houston worker who is injured while performing job-related duties for Pilgrim’s Pride can prove that they were hurt primarily due to their employer’s negligence, they could hold the company liable to pay for the full value of all their injury-related losses. That usually comes out to more than the standard losses covered by workers’ compensation. A qualified legal professional can explain in a private consultation how these claims work.

Getting Paid for On-the-Job Injuries at Pilgrim’s Pride

Everything from slips and falls over spills in walkways to catastrophic malfunctions in heavy machinery could cause serious injury to a Pilgrim’s Pride worker in Houston. Fortunately, both economic and non-economic damages stemming from such an accident can be factored into a lawsuit against a non-subscriber company like Pilgrim’s Pride, including:

• All past and future medical expenses
• The full value of lost work wages and future working capacity
• Personal property damage or loss
• Emotional and psychological trauma
• Physical pain and suffering
• Lost consortium and enjoyment of life

Every case is unique, so it is worth discussing what damages might be available with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney prior to filing a lawsuit.

Get Help with a Pilgrim’s Pride Workers’ Compensation Claim in Houston

Even if Pilgrim’s Pride does not provide you with workers’ comp coverage, you may still be able to hold the company liable for the injury you suffered while working for them. It is not a simple process to get a positive result from these claims, especially if you try to do it alone.

Support from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris can be absolutely vital to achieving success with Pilgrim’s Pride workers’ compensation claims in Houston. Call our firm and learn if you are eligible to file suit for damages.