What Is an Example of a Serious Injury at Work?
Texas has many employees in heavy industries, so workplace injuries unfortunately occur frequently. Even a minor workplace injury can put you out of work and create significant financial hardship. Most workplace injuries are related to physical trauma or overuse, but injuries workers suffer on the job span a wide range of conditions.
What Is a Serious Work Injury?
In Texas, a serious work injury is a workplace injury that significantly impacts a person’s ability to do their job due to a temporary or prolonged loss of bodily function. This definition is broad and can include both acute and cumulative injuries you sustain while performing your job duties.
This definition is important because Texas employees with serious work injuries can file a workers’ compensation claim to cover their medical bills and lost income if their employer has purchased workers’ compensation insurance. If you have sustained an injury at work, a workers’ compensation attorney can help you file a claim to recover your losses.
Most Common Workplace Injuries
According to data from the Texas Department of Insurance, the industries with the highest rates of reported nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses are:
- Transportation and warehousing
- Arts and recreation
- Retail trade
- Health care and social assistance
- Agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing
Other industries with significant injury rates include manufacturing, construction, and wholesale trade. Below is a list of the most common workplace injury examples we encounter in Houston.
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Shocks and electrocution
- Fractures
- Repetitive motion injuries (e.g., tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.)
- Toxic and chemical exposure
- Overexertion injuries
- Workplace violence (e.g., employee altercations, gun violence, etc.)
What to Do If You’re Injured at Work
If you sustain an injury at work, it is essential to act quickly to reduce the chances of workers’ compensation payment delays or complications.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Before anything else, go see a doctor. You will need an official diagnosis and medical documentation if you plan to use workers’ compensation insurance.
- Report the injury to your employer. In Texas, you must report a work injury to your employer within 30 days, or else you may be ineligible to file a claim. The sooner you report your injuries, the better.
- Gather evidence. Evidence you will need for your claim can include photos, video recordings, eyewitness testimony, and proof of lost income.
- Speak to an attorney. Next, contact a workers’ compensation attorney. They will guide you through the next steps of the investigation process and gather all relevant medical documentation. They can also negotiate your final settlement with the insurance company.
If your employer does not carry workers’ comp insurance and another person or product caused your workplace injury, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit to pursue compensation for your injury and losses. The manufacturer of a defective product that harmed you or a person who crashed into you while you were driving a vehicle while working could be liable for injuries in those cases. Your lawyer can help you determine which avenue to pursue.
Contact Our Houston Work Injury Lawyers for Help
The law office of Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has over three decades of experience helping injured workers recover compensation for their injuries. Our board-certified attorneys have recovered over $1 billion for our clients and want to help you next.
Contact our office online or call today to receive a free consultation with a work injury lawyer in Houston.