Shane Pellerin Law Firm Probate LawyerIf you are injured at work, you may be responsible for doing more than you would think in order to receive proper compensation for the incident that occurred. We know that it might seem daunting, but Pellerin Law Firm is here to help see you through to the end. The following is a list of responsibilities for employees in Texas who have been injured in their workplace:

  1.  You have the responsibility to tell your employer if you have been injured at work while performing the duties of your job. You must tell your employer within 30 days of the date you were injured or first knew your injury or illness might be work-related.
  2. You have the responsibility to know if you are in a Workers’ Compensation Health Care Network (network). If you do not know whether you are in a network, ask the employer you worked for at the time of your injury. If you are in a network, you have the responsibility to follow the network rules.
  3. If you worked for a political subdivision (e.g., city, county, school district) at the time of your injury, you have the responsibility to find out how to receive medical treatment. Your employer should be able to provide you with the information you will need in order to determine which health care providers can treat you for your workplace injury.
  4. You have the responsibility to tell your doctor how you were injured and whether the injury is work-related.
  5. You have the responsibility to send a completed Employee’s Claim for Compensation for a Work-Related Injury or Occupational Claim Form (DWC041) to the Division of Workers Compensation (DWC). You have one year to send the form after you were injured or first knew that your illness might be work-related. Send the completed DWC041 form even if you already are receiving benefits. You may lose your right to benefits if you do not timely send the completed claim form to DWC. For a copy of the DWC041 form you may contact DWC.
  6. You have the responsibility to provide your current address, telephone number, and employer information to DWC and the insurance carrier. DWC can be contacted at 1-800-252-7031.
  7. You have the responsibility to tell DWC and the insurance carrier anytime there is a change in your employment status or wages. (Examples of changes include: you stop working because of your injury; you start working; or you are offered a job).
  8. Eligible beneficiaries or persons seeking death and burial benefits have the responsibility to send a completed Beneficiary Claim for Death Benefits (DWC-042) to DWC within one year following the employee’s date of death.
  9. You are prohibited from making frivolous or fraudulent claims or demands.

 

Source: oiec.texas.gov. “Notice of Injured Employee Rights and Responsibilities in the Texas Workers’ Compensation System.