Midland Work Accident Lawyer

When you suffer an injury at work, it can feel like your whole world is crashing down. Not only can you end up with high medical bills, your injury can prevent you from working and earning an income. After a workplace accident, you may have the option to file a personal injury claim against the party that caused your accident–including cases in which a third party may have caused or contributed to the incident. A Midland work accident lawyer can support you as you fight to protect your rights and get the support you deserve.

Understanding Workplace Accident Claims in Midland

Many employees who are harmed on the job will file a workers’ compensation claim. However, that is not always the case. In Texas specifically, employers are not required to offer workers’ comp (they are called non-subscribers), meaning a person may instead have to file a direct injury claim.

Establishing Liability

When you file a workplace accident claim, you will need to establish liability for the accident. That means showing that either a third party or your employer committed a serious act of negligence that led to the accident. Those can include:

• Failing to provide needed safety equipment
• Creating a hazard that leads to a serious accident
• Providing inadequate safety training for employees
• Requiring employees to work under unsafe conditions

Employers have a high level of responsibility to their employees, including a duty of care to protect them against personal harm during the course of their job duties. Unfortunately, some employers may not take adequate safety precautions, which can lead to accidents with devastating injuries.

Common situations that often stem from the workplace include construction or refinery accidents and maritime accidents, which are common in Texas. These dangerous professions can lead to more serious injuries and long-term consequences than most other professions, although any job could lead to back injuries, repetitive motion injuries, and toxic exposure.

The Statute of Limitations

In Texas, you have two years from the date of an accident at work to move forward with a workplace accident claim in Midland, TX. However, that does not mean that you should allow the statute of limitations to count down while you wait to file a claim. Instead, get in touch with an attorney as soon as you can after the incident so they can begin collecting evidence or dealing with the insurance company on your behalf.

Recovering Compensation After a Midland Workplace Accident

A workplace accident claim will usually include compensation for your medical costs, your wage losses, and your pain and suffering. However, the damages you can ultimately recover will depend on several factors, including how the incident occurred, the extent of your injuries, and the losses you face. The insurance company that covers your employer or the third party that caused the accident can also impact your compensation.

When to File a Claim After a Workplace Accident

After many workplace accidents, you may have serious injuries that can lead to devastating, long-term consequences on your life. You may have the right to file a personal injury claim if:

• A third party engaged in negligent behavior that led to your injuries
• Your employer engaged in negligence that led directly to your injuries
• Your employer is a non-subscriber under Texas law, which means they do not carry workers’ comp insurance and therefore open themselves to liability when a worker suffers an injury

Talk to your Midland lawyer about whether you have the right to file a claim following a workplace accident. Filing the right type of claim can allow you to maximize your benefits and the compensation you can recover for your injuries.

Contact a Midland Work Accident Attorney for Your Next Steps

A workplace accident can cause immense suffering and, in many cases, prevent you from returning to your former position or profession – perhaps permanently. When you need to file for financial compensation, you need a lawyer to help you navigate the process. Contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, today for a free consultation about your Midland workplace accident.