Best Workers Compensation Lawyers in College Station, TX

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in College Station, Texas?

  Contact 979-764-3600 for a non-emergency dispatch from the police in College Station.

• Where can I get a copy of police report for incidents related to my case in College Station, Texas?

  Obtain copies of reports at the police station located at 800 Krenek Tap Road in College Station. Requests can also be sent via mail to Attention: Police Records, PO Box 9960, College Station, TX 77842. Call the Records Section at 979-764-3636 for more information.

• How does workers' compensation work in College Station?

  Workers' compensation offers medical and income benefits to workers who get injured or ill because of performing their job. It is a state-monitored insurance program that employers may or may not subscribe to. To start a claim, the injured worker in College Station must notify their employer, and they will receive a packet from the Division of Workers' Compensation. If a worker has not received the packet, they can call 800-252-7031 and press option 1.

• Can you make a cash advance from your workers' compensation benefits in College Station?

  Yes. Workers in College Station can advance payments from their workers' compensation benefits up to three times throughout the set period of the same injury. They have to fill out the Request to Advance Benefits Form (DWC047) and send it to the Division of Workers’ Compensation to be approved. The amount workers can request will not exceed four times their maximum weekly rate of the temporary income benefits.

• Who can an injured worker in College Station ask for help if they do not have a lawyer?

  An injured worker in College Station not represented by a lawyer can reach out to an OIEC ombudsman by calling (866) 393-6432 or sending an email to OIECinbox@oiec.texas. Ombudsmen can assist in talking to the doctor, employer, and insurance company. They can attend proceedings together with the work, provide information, and help prepare documentation. Ombudsmen, however, cannot represent workers, give advice, or sign paperwork on their behalf.

• Can workers' compensation affect a College Station employee's health insurance?

  Yes. When your employer stops paying for your health insurance premiums, they have to inform you and increase your workers' compensation benefits. This usually happens if you have been on medical rest and stopped receiving salary through payroll. Since you have stopped having payroll deductions on the premiums, you can pay them on your own from the increase in your workers' compensation benefits. You may discuss these matters with your employer in College Station if you have been placed under temporary total disability and are required to be on medical leave.

• Is it possible to get a lump sum payment instead of weekly checks from a workers' compensation claim in College Station?

  Yes. You may request to get a lump sum payment if, by the time you have reached the maximum medical improvement stage, you have already been back at work for a minimum of three months. Submit the form Employee's Election for Commuted (Lump Sum) Impairment Income Benefits (DWC051) to the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Temporary income benefits are only given weekly through checks directly deposited or mailed. Impairment income benefits are also paid out every week.

• What does a workers’ compensation attorney do?

  Workers’ compensation attorneys help injured employees recover monetary benefits following workplace accidents and illnesses. Attorneys in this practice area provide legal advice, gather evidence, review medical records, prepare petitions, and negotiate insurance settlements. They also represent clients’ interests during court cases and administrative hearings overseen by state workers’ compensation boards.

• What are the benefits of filing a workers’ compensation claim?

  Workers’ compensation insurance gives employees access to vital cash benefits in case of workplace injuries or illnesses. Filing a claim can help injured workers pay for medical care, physical therapy, and essential living expenses while they recover from a temporary or permanent disability. Workers’ compensation also pays for funeral and burial expenses following fatal workplace injuries.

• How long does a workers’ compensation claim stay open?

  Workers’ compensation claims typically remain open as long as the individual is receiving treatment or until the injured party reaches maximum medical improvement. This milestone varies for each person, and it can take years to determine whether a disability is temporary or permanent. Additionally, there’s a fixed time limit for filing a lawsuit. The statute of limitations can be anywhere from six months to two years from the date of the injury or the date of the last payment, depending on the worker’s state of residence. A qualified attorney can explain your state’s specific rules.

• What is the average payout for a workers’ compensation claim?

  Nationally, the average workers’ compensation claimant receives $21,800. Payouts range from $2,000 on the low end to upwards of $60,000 for well-compensated workers in high-income areas. The exact amount depends on the claimant’s average weekly paycheck, the extent of the injuries, and their state of residence. Individuals who accept an insurance settlement or initial offer typically receive less than those who negotiate or have an attorney represent them before an arbitrator or workers’ compensation judge.

• How are settlements calculated in workers’ compensation cases?

  Settlements typically cover current and future medical expenses, vocational rehabilitation or retraining, and two-thirds of lost wages. The total amount may vary depending on whether the worker’s disability is temporary or permanent. Workers’ compensation also pays death benefits, including funeral expenses and two-thirds of wages for up to 25 years or a state-specified maximum.

• What is workers comp?

  Workers' compensation is an insurance program that provides medical care, rehabilitation, and other benefits for employees who are injured or fall ill while performing assigned work duties. Common reasons for filing a workers' comp claim include slip and fall injuries, machinery accidents, or muscle strains while lifting heavy items.

  All businesses must carry some form of workers' compensation insurance, with minimum guidelines imposed by the state of residence. Workers' comp is intended to safeguard both the employee and the employer by providing a social safety net. This can protect companies from civil suits and guarantee that injured employees receive the benefits they need.

• What does workers comp cover?

  Workers' compensation insurance covers benefits associated with a wide range of accidents and illnesses that may occur in a place of work. This can include:

  • Medical benefits, such as payments for treatments, hospitalizations, or surgeries
  • Compensation for lost wages while not working
  • Coverage for ongoing care, such as physical therapy
  • Continued access to benefits, including insurance provided through an employer
  • Disability benefits, if an injury results in a permanent loss of functioning in some manner
  • Death benefits and funeral expense coverage

  How and when workers' compensation coverage applies depends on the illness or injury in question and the results of a medical exam. An unsatisfactory ruling by an insurer can be appealed with help from a workers' comp attorney.

  
  

• What does a workers comp defense attorney do?

  A workers' compensation defense attorney is a legal professional who represents the employer in a workers’ comp case. Typically, the defense attorney works to minimize the employer’s liability and reduce the amount of benefits to be paid out.

• When does workers comp start paying?

  How and when workers' comp starts paying can depend on both the circumstances and the state in which an injury took place. In most areas, benefits related to medical care start paying out immediately, even before a claim is formally processed or accepted. Once a case is approved, injured workers may be entitled to other benefits, including coverage for lost wages.

• How much is workers comp insurance for self-employed people?

  Workers' compensation isn't required for self-employed individuals, but those working in dangerous industries, such as construction or manufacturing, may choose to purchase policies. In some cases, employers may request this coverage when hiring a contractor. While costs will vary based on industry and location, most freelancers can expect to pay around $25 to $50 per month.

• How do I file a workers comp claim?

  A workers' comp claim is best filed as soon as an injury occurs. In some states, there are time limits, such as one month following an incident.

  After an injury, an employee must notify their employer. The employer must then provide access to the necessary forms and offer guidance. Employees must fill out all forms and return them to the employer who then files them with the insurer. Some states have additional requirements, including assessment by a medical provider. Once the paperwork has been filed, the insurance provider issues a ruling. If the ruling is unfavorable, the employee may choose to appeal the decision with the support of an attorney.