What Benefits are Covered by Workers’ Compensation in Texas?

In Texas, employers are not required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, to protect themselves from personal injury lawsuits, some employers choose to have this form of insurance. If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if you sustained a work-related injury. The benefits you receive can cover a vast range of expenses and anticipated financial losses.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

As long as the treatment you are receiving is approved or recommended by your doctor, workers’ compensation will pay for any necessary medical care you are receiving for your injuries. Additionally, if you have to miss work while recovering from your workplace injury or illness, preventing you from collecting wages, workers’ compensation provides temporary income benefits. That said, temporary income benefits do not begin until after your first week of missed work.

These benefits will come to an end until one of the following events occurs:

• Your doctor determines that you reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and that your condition is unlikely to improve
• You can resume your job and receive the same wages
• You received temporary income benefits for 104 weeks

In Texas, the 104 week limit on temporary income benefits can be extended if the injured employee receives spinal cord injury surgery within 12 weeks before the deadline.

After you reach MMI, your doctor will determine if your injury resulted in the permanent loss of certain functions or impairment. In Texas, employees suffering from impairment due to a work-related injury can receive impairment income benefits. In other states, this is known as partial disability benefits.

When your impairment income benefits run out, you might also be eligible for supplemental income benefits if you meet the following qualifications:

• You had an impairment rating of 15% or higher
• You cannot return to work or earn at least 80% of your previous wages
• You did not choose a lump sum payment for your impairment income benefits
• You are participating in vocational rehabilitation or actively seeking work
• You reapply every 3 months, along with documentation to show your eligibility

If you qualify, you will receive supplemental income benefits for a maximum of 401 weeks.

Other workers’ compensation benefits you can receive include:

• Vocational rehabilitation to find a new job
• Medical travel expenses if you must travel more than 30 miles to seek treatment
• Death benefits if a work-related injury results in wrongful death in San Antonio

Reach Out to a Knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today!

If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance and you recently sustained a work-related illness or injury, you might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, but it is crucial to hire skilled legal assistance to ensure the process goes smoothly. At The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC, our legal team has the experience to help you obtain these vital benefits. Our team has been representing injured workers for two decades and would be honored to do the same for you.

Get started today and contact us at (210) 922-0808 to arrange a free consultation. We will not charge you legal fees until we win your case!