Whether you are working at a construction site or are injured in a trucking accident while on the job, accidents can cause serious problems. If you or someone you care about suffers a work injury in Texas, you might be wondering about your rights. What can you do legally? Can you get workers' compensation? Is suing your boss an option? What if someone else caused the accident? You need an El Paso County, Texas personal injury attorney to help you with the complexities of such cases. 

How Does Workers’ Compensation Work?

In Texas, workers' compensation is a system designed to provide financial assistance to employees who suffer injuries or illnesses on the job. Unlike some other states, Texas does not make it mandatory for employers to have workers' compensation insurance. However, if your employer does have it, you may be eligible for benefits covering medical expenses and temporary income loss due to missed work. It is important to note that the Texas Labor Code governs workers' compensation laws in the state, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees. The system operates on a "no-fault" basis, meaning workers can receive compensation without proving that their employer's actions directly caused the injury or illness.

What Can I Do If Someone Else is to Blame for My Injuries?

If your employer is not to blame, but someone else is to blame for your injuries, you are able to sue them. For example, if a tire is defective on your truck and you get injured as a result of the accident, the company that made the tire could be on the hook. Also, if you get in an accident while working, the other driver could be at fault. Suing a third party could get you more money than workers' comp. You may get cash for your medical bills, all the money you lost from not working, and even extra for the hard times you went through.

Parts of Texas and New Mexico are among the world's leading regions for oil and gas production. However working at oil or gas drilling sites and refineries carries significant risks, and when accidents happen, workers and their families may be unsure about seeking assistance. People injured in refinery explosions often experience burn injuries. You need an experienced refinery, oil, and gas industry accident Texas attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Why Is This Work so Dangerous? 

The oil and gas industries deal with highly volatile materials. The combination of chemicals and high temperatures can lead to big explosions. Refinery explosions can happen because of spills of chemicals, electrical issues, broken machinery, or improper maintenance. Even small accidents can lead to serious injuries or death.

Is Workers’ Compensation Enough for My Injuries?

 In Texas, it is important to know that employers are not obligated by law to offer workers' compensation coverage to their employees. This means that if you are injured on the job in Texas, you will not necessarily receive automatic compensation through workers' compensation benefits as you may in other states. Instead, you have the option to take legal action against a non-subscribing employer whose negligence led to your injury. You can also seek compensation from third parties who may be responsible for your injury, such as the manufacturers of faulty machinery.

Oil and gas refineries are a high-risk sector, where workers are often exposed to dangerous conditions that often result in work-related injuries. If you have been injured while working in the oil and gas industry, understanding your legal rights, and seeking appropriate compensation is crucial. Today, we are going to shed light on the legal framework surrounding work injury claims in this industry.

Here is What You Need to Know

It is crucial to understand that workers’ compensation laws provide injured workers with financial benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Therefore, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you sustain an injury while working in the oil and gas industry. Remember, it is essential to report the incident as soon as possible to your employer as well as consult with a workers’ compensation attorney with the knowledge and qualifications required to assist you in your workers’ compensation claim.

In some cases, work-related injuries in the oil and gas industry can be caused by other parties, such as equipment manufacturers or subcontractors. You may have a third-party liability claim if you believe someone other than your employer was responsible for your injury. These claims may allow you to recover additional compensation beyond that provided by workers’ compensation.

Texas is full of hard workers and sometimes those workers are injured. Whether at a construction site, oil and gas drilling site, an office, or another work environment, work accidents can have devastating consequences. Individuals who are injured at work may be left facing not only a painful recovery but also significant financial implications. Between medical expenses and lost income from missed work, getting hurt on the job can represent a major financial burden.

If you or a loved one were hurt in a work accident in Texas, you may have questions about your legal rights and options. Do you have a right to workers’ compensation? Can you sue your employer? What if another party caused the accident?

Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Unlike many other states, workers’ compensation insurance is not mandatory in Texas. This means that your employer may or may not carry workers’ compensation insurance to reimburse injured workers for injury-related costs. If your employer has workers’ comp insurance, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical treatment as well as temporary income benefits. Workers’ compensation is “no-fault,” meaning that you do not have to prove that your employer’s actions caused the injury to get compensation. Unfortunately, not all employers carry workers’ compensation insurance and the compensation offered by workers’ comp is often insufficient.