How To Find Out If Your Employer Has Workers' Compensation
Understanding your rights to wage compensation and medical benefits after a workplace accident can be challenging, especially when you're unsure whether your employer is a subscriber to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Program. If you’ve been injured on the job or are facing a work-related health issue, it’s crucial to quickly determine if your employer subscribes to workers' compensation coverage, or falls into the category of non-subscribers.
This quick overview will cover the important differences of Subscriber vs. Non-Subscriber status and includes the official state resources to help you find out if your employer is a part of the workers’ compensation program.
If you’ve been injured on the job and are in need of legal advice, contact us today Sneed & Mitchell LLP via our confidential online contact form, or by calling our offices directly at (866) 434-0014. The well-being of you and your family are our top priorities. One of our dedicated attorneys will listen to the facts and help you determine your rights and options.
Worker’s Compensation: Subscriber vs. Non-Subscriber Employer
First, let’s start with a quick definitional overview of subscriber vs. non-subscriber employers. Subscriber Employers participate in the state’s workers’ compensation system, meaning they provide workers’ compensation insurance to their employees. In contrast, Non-Subscriber Employers are those that opt out of the state’s workers’ compensation system. The employees of non-subscribers are not automatically provided benefits such as medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs after they become ill or injured at work.
In return for this purchasing worker’s compensation coverage, subscriber employers are generally protected from lawsuits related to workplace injuries, as employees relinquish the right to sue their employer in exchange for guaranteed benefits through the insurance program.
Non-Subscriber Employers do not provide the standard workers' compensation insurance coverage for their employees. As a result, non-subscriber employers are exposed to greater legal liability if and when a lawsuit is filed against them by the injured worker. Hurt employees have the right to pursue a lawsuit for damages, including compensation for the full array of economic and non-economic damages made possible under the law, including medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Regardless of whether you work for a Subscriber or Non-Subscriber Employer, you may still have a viable legal claim if you’re injured on the job. Speak with an experienced employment lawyer to determine your best path forward. We know what to do when an employee was injured while working for an non-subscriber.
Key Fact: Even if your employer subscribes to workers’ compensation insurance, you can still pursue a legal claim against your employer. Workers’ comp may not be enough by itself to cover the real cost of your injuries and losses. Additionally, an employer who subjected you to dangerous conditions or broke the law should be held accountable to you, your family, your coworkers, and the community at large. For specific advice related to your circumstances, contact Sneed & Mitchell LLP for a no-cost, comprehensive consultation by calling (866) 434-0014. We have offices located throughout Texas in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. |
5 Ways To Find Out If Your Employer Has Workers’ Compensation in Texas
Here is an actionable list of Texas state resources for finding out whether you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance:
1. Contact Your Human Resources Department
This is often the quickest way to find out if your employer does or does not subscribe to workers’ compensation insurance. The person who is your reference point for understanding company benefits programs and your health insurance coverage may be your best point of contact.
See next steps if you don’t have such a contact at your job, or if that person is unaware of the company’s workers’ comp subscriber status.
2. Check the Texas Department of Insurance Website
The Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation website keeps a record on which companies in the state subscribe to workers’ comp coverage.
3. Verify Private Insurance Coverage
If your employer purchases private workers’ compensation coverage, you can verify that coverage at the TXCOMP NCCI website.
4. Verify Self-Insured Certification
If your private employer opts out of subscribing to state or private workers’ comp insurance, they may have a formal policy to pay their workers’ compensation losses themselves (self-insured). You may be able to verify any certified self-insured workers’ compensation coverage through the most recent Texas Certified Self-Insurers list (opens a PDF document).
5. Governmental Agency Self Insurance Verification
Governmental agencies are not necessarily required to subscribe to state-provided workers’ compensation insurance. If a governmental entity chooses to fund their own workers’ compensation program, you can check for that verification at TXCOMP Self-Insured Government Employer.
Remember, even if your employer is not subscribed to workers’ compensation coverage via any of these pathways, you still have the right to pursue compensation claims. Contact our injury team in Texas at (866) 434-0014 for a free consultation regarding your options.
What Your Employer’s Workers’ Comp Subscriber Status Means for You
Here is what it means for you based on whether your employer is a subscriber or non-subscriber:
If your employer is a Subscriber, you are entitled to specific benefits in the state’s workers’ compensation system, including coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation, and in some cases, compensation for permanent disabilities. In exchange for providing these benefits, your employer is generally protected from lawsuits related to workplace injuries, but this is not always true, and you should consult with a personal injury attorney before assuming you have limited rights. Your lawyer from Sneed & Mitchell LLP can also help you with processing your workers’ comp claim, including following the state-mandated process for filing deadlines, and submitting the necessary paperwork with the insurance provider to ensure maximum coverage.
If your employer is a Non-Subscriber, they are not obligated to provide workers' compensation benefits. This means if you are injured, your employer may not cover your medical expenses or lost wages unless they have other forms of insurance or benefits in place. In these circumstances, you may have the option to file a lawsuit against your employer to recover damages for your injury. This exposes your employer to greater potential legal liability, and so it is best to have an attorney handle communications on your behalf in order to protect your best interests. Your Workplace Injury Compensation Lawyer can also help you in dealing with any private insurance companies who may seek to limit payout or deny aspects of coverage you’re rightfully owed.
In either circumstance, understanding your employer’s workers' compensation subscriber status helps you navigate your rights and the appropriate steps to take following a workplace injury. If you need assistance or have questions about your specific situation, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney can provide clarity and ensure you receive the benefits and compensation you deserve.
Four Benefits of Workers’ Compensation: For those injured on the job in Texas, there are four main benefits covered by workers’ comp: medical coverage, income reimbursement, untimely death compensation, and funeral benefits. In order to guarantee you receive your maximum benefits, you may need legal representation. If you are not covered under workers’ comp, hiring a lawyer may be necessary to file independent claims to meet the same standard of coverage that workers’ compensation could have provided. |
Contact Experienced Texas Worksite Accident Lawyers & Non-Subscriber Accident Attorneys
Your rights as an injured worker change depending on whether you work for a Subscriber vs. Non-Subscriber Employer. However, that does not mean you should expect or accept settling for less than fair compensation.
Before you sign any agreement with your employer or an insurance company regarding your injury benefits, contact the Injury Team at Sneed & Mitchell LLP in Texas by calling (866) 434-0014. We provide no-cost, no-obligation consultations, and our experienced team is prepared to fight on your behalf for proper treatment.
Workplace injuries have the potential to throw families into chaos, interrupting your income, and causing long-lasting and sometimes debilitating injuries. We know that on-the-job accidents can quickly jeopardize your home life with the cost of lost wages and medical bills. The lawyers at Sneed & Mitchell LLP are ready to begin work on your case right away to alleviate your personal stress and secure the resolution you need to move forward.