Weatherford Workplace Accident Lawyer
Have you been seriously injured or lost someone you loved in a workplace accident in Weatherford, TX?
You may be entitled to damages through workers’ compensation and/or a third-party personal injury case. Speak with Jason Stephens, the Weatherford workplace accidents lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, for a free case review at (817) 409-7000.
Contact Jason Stephens today. He has more than 25 years of experience representing injured workers in Weatherford.
He has recovered life-changing awards and settlements for his clients, including some of the largest awards in the state. He will put his experience and resources to work for you.
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How Stephens Law Firm, PLLC Can Help with Your Workplace Accident Claim
Hiring a Weatherford personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim can make a major difference, both in the level of stress during this legal process and potentially in your financial recovery.
When dealing with workers’ compensation in Texas, you will face strict deadlines and an insurance company that tries to minimize the severity and extent of your injuries.
The insurance company may claim you are able to return to work when you are not or even that your injury was not work-related. Their goal is to make you accept as little as possible for your injuries.
Jason Stephens has more than 25 years of experience representing injured workers in workers’ compensation and third-party claims. You can count on Jason Stephens to:
- Provide support and guidance throughout the claims process
- Handle every aspect of your case from beginning to end, including administrative tasks
- Conduct a thorough investigation into your accident
- Consult with experts for insight into the cause and severity of your injuries and why your accident happened
- Defend you against claims that you caused your accident or it did not occur on the job
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to seek the full compensation you deserve
Jason Stephens is not afraid to take your case to court if the insurance company will not reach a fair settlement that fully compensates you. He has +25 years of experience representing clients in complex workplace accident cases and puts his experience as a successful trial lawyer to work for you. Call Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to arrange a free initial case review to get started.
How Common Are Workplace Accidents in Texas?
Unfortunately, workplace accidents are all too common in Weatherford and throughout Texas.
Texas now has the country’s highest rate of workplace fatalities with a worker dying on the job every day in the state. In 2018, there were 488 workplace fatalities in the state of Texas. These fatalities were caused by:
- Transportation (223)
- Falls, slips, or trips (71)
- Violence or injuries caused by another person or animal (71)
- Contact with objects or equipment (58)
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments (43)
- Fires and explosions (20)
The most common industries for workplace fatalities in Texas were service occupations, natural resources and construction, and production and transportation.
Across Texas, there were 185,299 non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2015. That gives the private industry in Texas an injury rate of 2.2 per 100 full-time workers compared to the national rate of 2.9. The highest injury rate was in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting with 4.1 injuries per 100 full-time workers.
Common Workplace Accidents in Weatherford, FL
Workplace accidents can happen in any type of work environment or industry, although some job sites are more dangerous than others. The following are the most common types of workplace accidents Jason Stephens sees in Weatherford.
Auto Accidents
Not all workplace accidents occur at an actual jobsite: nationwide, 40% of workplace fatalities involve transportation. Every year, thousands of workers are injured in car accidents or truck accidents while on the job. This includes delivery drivers, truck drivers, managers, and other occupations. Brain injuries are incredibly common consequences of work-related car accidents in Texas.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are the second-leading cause of work-related accidents in Texas. These accidents can happen to workers who fall from ladders, scaffolding, and roofs, but they can also happen to workers with desk jobs in an office. Even seemingly minor falls can cause serious injuries.
In 2016, almost 700 workers in the United States were killed in fall accidents and over 48,000 suffered injuries serious enough to require time off work according to the National Safety Council. The most common industries for slip and fall injuries are:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Wholesale trade
- Professional and business services
- Warehousing and transportation
- Education and health services
- Government
If you have been injured on the job because of a slip and fall, you may be entitled to benefits through workers’ compensation.
Construction Accidents
Construction workers face one of the most dangerous occupations in Texas. Every year, 1 out of 10 construction workers gets hurt in an accident on-the-job. The “fatal four” causes of most fatal construction accidents are falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and being caught in or between objects. Following a workplace fatality, a wrongful death action may be an option for surviving family members.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for a Weatherford Workplace Accident
Texas does not require employers to carry workers’ compensation coverage although many do because it protects employers from lawsuits. If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you can file a claim after sustaining a work-related illness or injury. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that allows you to recover benefits even if you caused your accident.
There are four types of workers’ compensation benefits injured workers may recover in Texas:
- Income benefits. These benefits replace a portion of your wages and offer compensation for permanent impairment or disability. There are four types of income benefits: temporary income, impairment income, supplemental income, and lifetime income.
- Medical benefits. These benefits pay for your reasonable medical expenses associated with your work-related illness or injury. Medical benefits are paid directly to the health care provided. You can choose your own doctor as long as they are approved by the Commission.
- Death benefits. These benefits replace a percentage of the worker’s income for eligible family members.
- Burial benefits. These benefits can pay for some of the funeral expenses for the deceased worker.
If you are eligible for workers’ comp benefits, you can recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and disability. Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation system is notoriously complex with a great deal of paperwork to complete and deadlines. The workers’ compensation carrier may try to limit your benefits by claiming your injury was not work-related, you are well enough to return to work, or your injuries did not cause disability.
Jason Stephen of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has represented injured workers for decades. He can review your case and let you know if you may be entitled to workers’ compensation and assist with the claims process.
Third-Party Claims for Workplace Accidents
Even if you are eligible to recover compensation through workers’ compensation, you may have another avenue to recover additional damages for your accident injury: a third-party claim. If your accident was caused by a negligent third party, you may have a third-party claim. These claims may be filed against an independent contractor or subcontractor, a manufacturer or distributor, a property owner, or a negligent driver, for example.
An experienced workplace accident lawyer in Weatherford can help you explore possible third-party claims which may help you maximize the value of your claim. While workers’ compensation is limited in the scope and amount of payments, a third-party personal injury lawsuit can allow you to recover for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
You may also have a claim against your employer if they do not carry workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage is not mandatory in Texas; failing to have coverage opens employers to possible injury claims.
Statute of Limitations to File a Workplace Accident Claim in Texas
After a workplace accident, you have a limited amount of time to file your claim. The Texas Workers’ Compensation Act places a strict statute of limitations on workers’ compensation claims of one year. This time limit begins on the date of your injury or the date when the injury became apparent.
If you do not file a workers’ compensation claim before this deadline passes, you will lose the right to recover workers’ comp benefits.
Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC for a free case review with a Weatherford workers’ comp lawyer who can help you understand the deadlines that apply in your case.
Contact a Weatherford Workplace Accidents Lawyer Today
Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has been helping Weatherford, Texas workers fight for the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve for more than 25 years. If you have been seriously injured in a work-related accident and you would like assistance with the claims process, or your workers’ comp claim has been denied, contact Jason Stephens today. During your free initial consultation, he will help you understand what your case may be worth and the next steps to take.
