There is a common belief among workers that employers must carry workers’ compensation coverage. This is true in some states, but not all. If you have ever wondered where Texas falls in this, the Lone Star State does not require employers to offer workers’ compensation coverage.
The Texas Workforce Commission’s website confirms this information. However, this does not mean that you cannot seek recourse if you sustain an injury on the job. Many employees resort to personal injury lawsuits to obtain compensation.
Is your employer covered?
Texas law requires employers to let employees know if they chose not to subscribe to workers’ compensation coverage or if they subscribed to coverage. This is also one of the required notices in the workplace, so you should be able to find this information at the office.
What are your rights?
If an employer is a non-subscriber, it must also notify employees that they have five days to make an important decision. The employee may either retain the right to sue the employer if they suffer any on-the-job injuries or waive the right to workers’ compensation benefits altogether.
What are the risks of waiving rights?
Many employees feel pressured into waiving their rights to keep their jobs. Note that there are some serious risks associated with this. Aside from not being able to seek legal recourse, you may also lose the right to receive any income or medical benefits if you get injured.
Texas’s labor laws often show more favor to employers than employees. This can make it difficult to navigate the workers’ compensation system in the event of an injury.
