Everyone deserves a safe and secure place of work. Unfortunately, work-related injuries and illnesses are not uncommon. If you are hurt at work, or while advancing your employer’s interests, you may be entitled to financial restitution for the resulting economic and non-economic damages through the workers’ compensation program.
However, workers’ comp claims are never straightforward. Just because you claim you were hurt at work does not mean that you will receive the benefits. Subject to the circumstances of your case, your claim can be refused on the following grounds:
If your injuries are not work-related
Workers’ compensation, as the name suggests, is designed to compensate workers who are hurt while executing employer-sanctioned activities. Thus, if your injuries had nothing to do with your work, then both your employer and the insurance company may successfully object to your claim. This explains why you need to report your work-related injuries or illness as soon as they happen or as soon as you reasonably discover them.
If you miss important deadlines
Talking about reporting your injuries, it is important to understand that your workers’ compensation claim begins the moment you are hurt or the moment you discover your illness. Per Texas workers’ compensation laws, you are required to report your workplace injury within 30 days from the date of the injury. Additionally, you are required to file your claim within the statute of limitations period, which is one year from the date of your injury. It is extremely important that you observe these timelines.
Safeguarding your rights
A workplace injury or illness can turn your life upside down. Learning more about Texas workers’ compensation laws can help you avoid costly pitfalls that can result in the refusal of your claim.