Workplace injuries are incredibly common in Fort Worth, Texas–but not all employees are covered by an employer’s workers’ compensation plan. If your employer did not have workers’ comp, don’t panic. Call Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers at (817) 400-5000 for a free consultation. Our Fort Worth non-subscriber workplace injury lawyers have the skills to help you seek compensation.
Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience. We’ve recovered over $30 million on behalf of injured parties like yourself–and now we’re here to protect you.
Why Choose Trial Tribe if You Were Injured While Employed by a Workers’ Compensation Non-Subscriber in Fort Worth
Your choice of legal representation is extremely important. Recovering compensation from the at-fault party is rarely easy. The defense will fight you at every turn. Our experienced lawyers at Trial Tribe are prepared to go to battle for you.
Our team has been recognized among the most talented and successful attorneys in the nation, including by:
- Super Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40”
- The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum
We understand how a serious injury in Fort Worth, TX, can turn your life upside down in a moment. You may be struggling with sky-high medical costs while you’re unable to work. Count on our Fort Worth workplace accident lawyers to stand by your side and help you fight for justice.
To get started, all you have to do is call our law firm for a free consultation.
What Is a Non-Subscribing Employer in Texas?
When compared with other states, Texas workers’ compensation laws are complicated. In most states, workers’ compensation is mandatory. Employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to provide medical and disability benefits when employees are injured on the job. Texas is different because employers aren’t strictly required to carry workers’ comp.
Employers who choose not to buy workers’ compensation insurance are called non-subscribing employers. Any employer who opts out of workers’ compensation is a non-subscriber. That’s true even if your employer purchased a private occupational injury plan or other alternative coverage instead of traditional workers’ compensation insurance.
How Can My Employer’s Choice Impact My Right To Seek Compensation for a Workplace Injury in Texas?
In most cases, injured employees are not permitted to sue employers who carry workers’ compensation insurance and instead must seek benefits through the workers’ compensation system. If your employer had workers’ compensation, you would be limited to those benefits.
Employers who opt out of the workers’ compensation system do not receive the same liability protections as subscribing employers. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against them for damages. The key downside is that you’ll have to prove they were negligent to recover damages.
Regardless of your employer’s choice, you may also have a valid lawsuit against any third party who contributed to your injuries. It’s a complex system. It’s always a good idea to consult an experienced injury attorney sooner rather than later if you were hurt on the job.
How Do I Know Whether My Fort Worth Employer Is a Non-Subscriber?
Your employer is required to notify you about their decision to opt out of the workers’ compensation system. They’re required to both post a notice where you can see it in the workplace and notify you upon being hired. Your employer is also required to notify the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
What Are My Legal Options for Recovering Compensation if My Employer Was a Non-Subscriber in Texas?
First, it’s important to consult an experienced attorney quickly. Most injured workers begin by filing a claim with workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation doesn’t require any proof about who caused your injuries.
If your employer was a non-subscriber, recovering compensation can be more complicated. You’re not limited to the benefits workers’ compensation offers, but you’ll have to prove that your employer’s negligence caused your injuries to recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
What Is My Fort Worth Non-Subscriber Workplace Injury Case Worth?
The value of a personal injury case varies depending on the unique factors involved in your case, including:
- The type of injuries you’ve suffered
- How severely you were hurt
- Your prognosis for making a full medical recovery
- Your medical bills
- Your earning capacity prior to the accident
- Whether your earnings remain impaired after you’ve recovered to the extent possible
- Any expected future costs associated with your injury
- Your personal pain, suffering, and trauma
Workers’ compensation disability benefits are ongoing. They can last as long as you remain disabled.
Personal injury cases are different. You only have one chance to recover the full compensation you deserve. That makes understanding your case value critical to the success of your case. If you later learn that your costs are higher than your settlement accounted for, you can’t return to the negotiating table and demand more money.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Workplace Injury Victims in Fort Worth?
Two primary types of compensatory damages are available in Texas personal injury cases.
Economic damages compensate you for any financial loss you’ve incurred due to the workplace injury, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages provide compensation for more intangible, non-monetary losses, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental trauma and distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Depression
- PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may even be on the table if the defendant acted so recklessly that the court finds they deserve punishment.
What Happens to the Value of My Fort Worth Non-Subscriber Workplace Injury Case if I Share Some Blame in Texas?
Sharing fault does not affect a workers’ compensation claim because workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Non-subscriber cases, however, are handled differently than both workers’ compensation claims and standard Texas personal injury lawsuits.
Under Texas law, employers who opt out of the workers’ compensation system lose certain common-law defenses. In most non-subscriber workplace injury cases, the employer cannot argue that your own negligence caused your injuries. However, limited exceptions may apply in cases involving intoxication or intentional self-harm.
Because non-subscriber claims follow unique legal rules, it’s important to have an experienced attorney evaluate how fault may affect your specific case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer To Handle a Non-Subscriber Workplace Injury Case in Texas?
You can hire our top-quality legal representation at Trial Tribe without any upfront fees. You’ll instead agree to pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict to cover attorneys’ fees and costs. This arrangement is known as a contingency fee.
Our Workplace Injury Attorneys in Fort Worth Are Ready To Fight for Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Our Fort Worth non-subscriber workplace injury attorneys represent injured workers with all types of serious injuries, including:
- Severe burns
- Back injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Eye, facial, or dental injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Hearing damage
- Nerve damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Recovering from a work-related injury can take time. While you’re focused on your physical recovery, our attorneys will be working hard to get you every dollar that you deserve.
What Are Some of the Top Causes of Workplace Injuries in Fort Worth?
When your employer opts out of workers’ compensation, you’re required to establish fault to recover damages. That means you’ll have to understand why your injuries occurred.
Some of the leading causes of workplace accidents and injuries include:
- Failure to maintain the worksite in a reasonably safe condition
- Failure to provide adequate safety equipment
- Inadequate training or supervision
- Negligent hiring practices
- Failure to maintain work tools and equipment in reasonably safe condition
- Ignoring state or federal safety regulations
- Lack of fall protection
- Defective work tools or equipment
- Failure to properly secure objects
There’s a virtually endless list of ways you can get injured in the workplace. Our attorneys are prepared to handle any type of workplace accident claim. Contact us today so that we can start collecting the evidence you’ll need to prove your case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Workplace Accident in Texas?
Your time for taking legal action is limited by state law. In Texas, personal injury victims have two years from the date an injury occurs to file a lawsuit. Once this two-year statute of limitations is over, you’ll have completely lost your right to pursue compensation.
Contact a Seasoned Fort Worth Non-Subscriber Workplace Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Recovering compensation after a workplace injury in Fort Worth, Texas, can be difficult–especially if your employer didn’t carry workers’ compensation. Our team at Trial Tribe has the skill and dedication to help you maximize your financial award. Call us today to learn how an experienced Fort Worth non-subscriber workplace injury attorney can fight for you.