subject: Workers Compensation Act: Have You Been Injured? [print this page] The Workers Compensation Act is a set of laws that help provide workers comp benefits for medical expenses as well as reimbursement for lost wages when employees are injured on the job. Workers compensation law covers two types of protection: Workers Compensation and Employer's Liability.
The workers comp portion of the policy pays for claims made by employees, and the employer's liability portion pays the cost of defending lawsuits filed against the company by an employee or an employee's family. A Houston workers comp lawyer who is knowledgeable and trustworthy can further understanding of the Act for an injured employee.
It is critical that your employer has Workers Compensation insurance for three important reasons:
Workers comp Insurance is required by law in all 50 states.
Workers comp Insurance can protect businesses from lawsuits.
Having knowledge about how the system operates can help in very simple ways to reduce workers comp costs.
Each state enacts its own workers comp statutes, so depending upon which state you reside in, your employer can buy coverage through a state-run fund or a private insurer. Some states offer a choice of either. If your state doesn't offer a state-run insurance fund and your employer can't qualify for private insurance, they are insured by an assigned-risk pool.
Here are some ideas on enhancing workplace safety as laid down by the Act:
Conduct regular inspections of the facility to identify and correct hazards such as poor lighting, unsafe warehouse conditions and ergonomically incorrect workstations.
Write safety procedures and distribute them to anyone who drives a vehicle for your business.
Keep detailed records of all accidents and set quantifiable goals for improvement.
Create return-to-work programs for injured employees and stay in close contact with employees who are out.
Use ergonomic products. The right chairs, keyboards, mats and tables can sharply reduce claims.
Provide protective equipment. Goggles, helmets, gloves and other safety gear make sense in many situations.
If your employer isn't doing the right things to protect you, seeking out a Houston Workers Comp lawyer may be a good idea. A caring Houston workers comp lawyer will help you follow the right steps to get the maximum benefit you deserve. Plenty of people are injured on the job throughout the state of Texas every year, and since Houston is a larger area, many of the injuries happen there.
A workers comp injury can happen anywhere, and you owe it to yourself to ensure that you find a Houston workers comp lawyer to get your claim in order and maximize the benefit that you're going to get. When looking for a Houston workers comp lawyer, please take time to find one who cares about you and your particular situation.
by: John Carpenter
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