Employees usually face a number of challenges when they go to work. For starters, they can get into an accident when driving to or from work. At the workplace, workers can get injured while discharging their duties. To protect workers from the risks they face at the workplace, the Texas workers compensation act was enacted. The act basically outlines how employers are supposed to treat their workers. It also outlines the guidelines for compensating injured Texas workers. The act also outlines the rights and duties of every worker.

What is Workers Comp?

This is a type of insurance policy purchased by employers for their employees to protect them from injuries that may arise at the workplace. It is important to note that employers are required to purchase accident coverage for their employees. While there are many other types of plans that employers can consider, the workers compensation system seems to be the most popular. Employers who opt for workers comp are required to sign up each of their employees and pay premiums. Failure to do so can lead to financial and legal sanctions.

How it Works

Every employee is required to sign up for the workers comp insurance. By signing up, they agree not to sue their employer for any injuries they may sustain at the workplace. In return, the employer agrees to pay premiums that will ensure the worker gets guaranteed benefits when they get injured at the workplace. Usually, workers have 30 days to report an injury to their employer. This can be done verbally or in writing. A statement must also be provided on how the injury occurred. This is crucial because injuries that are not accidental are not covered. Once a claim has been filed, it will be processed and approved on first come first serve basis.

Workers Compensation Benefits

There are many types of benefits that come with workers compensation in Texas. They include;

Medical Benefits

After getting injured, workers can expect to receive quality medical attention for all their injuries. Workers comp will pay for all essential treatments and procedures the worker receives for the work-related injuries. Unrelated injuries or illnesses are not covered. This means that workers can rest easy knowing that they will not need to spend a single dime to treat injuries they sustained at the workplace.

Temporary Disability Benefits

If the injured worker needs a couple of weeks, months or years to recuperate, workers comp will pay temporary disability benefits at the rate of 70% of normal weekly wages until they are well-enough to return to work.

Death Benefits

In case a worker succumbs to the work-related injuries, workers comp will pay death benefits to the family of the deceased. Death benefits are paid at the rate of 70% of weekly wages earned by the deceased before the injury.

Funeral Benefits

Workers comp also seeks to lower the financial burden borne by the family of the deceased by paying for the funeral of a deceased worker. This is often reimbursed after the burial.