Injured on the Job in Texas? 5 Important Steps to Take Right Away

Since 2013, the number of full-time employed Texans injured at work has decreased. About 1.9 injuries were reported for every 100 workers in 2022 compared to the national average of 2.7. 

This is good news. It means that safety guidelines and risk management strategies are being implemented. But injuries aren’t 100% avoidable, and accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. 

All major industries, including warehousing, transportation, entertainment, education, and even finance have reported injuries to Texas authorities. Getting hurt at work can be stressful, and not knowing what to do next only adds to your stress. The good news is that we’ve got your back.

Dr. Asif Aziz, Guiselle Berry, FNP, and the team at Elite Primary Care, PA, in Greenville, Texas, offer worker’s compensation services. If you’re injured on the job, give us a call right away. Here, we present five important steps so you know exactly what you need to do.

1. Get medical care immediately 

Your health comes first. If you've been injured, see us as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. Some injuries, such as strains or stress fractures, can worsen over time, and prompt medical care can help you avoid complications of untreated injuries.

Your initial appointment

Our team is experienced with workers’ compensation cases, and having a medical professional evaluate your condition is invaluable in navigating your medical care as well as the logistics and paperwork associated with workers’ compensation cases.

Important: You must disclose that your injury occurred at work. Simply let Dr. Aziz know when he’s examining your injury. 

Follow-up appointments 

Continue to complete all recommended treatments and attend all follow-up appointments. Your treatment plan depends on what type of injury you sustained. Strains, fractures, lacerations, needle sticks (in a health care setting), and eye injuries are some of the most common injuries reported.

2. Let your employer know

Notify your employer about the injury as soon as you can. In Texas, you typically have 30 days to report a work-related injury, but it's best to do it right away. If you wait too long, you may not receive benefits. 

For chronic injuries, such as occupational exposure or repetitive strain injuries, let your employer know as soon as you realize that your condition is connected to work.

Provide details about what happened, where it happened, and the nature of your injury. This step is vital for starting the workers' compensation process. 

3. Document everything

Keep detailed records of everything related to your injury. This includes the date and time of the accident, how it occurred, and a list of any witnesses. 

Save all of your medical reports from Elite Primary Care, PA, bills related to the injury, and any correspondence with your employer or insurance company. 

If you need to miss work — Dr. Aziz will let you know if your injury precludes you from returning safely to work — keep track of how many days you miss. Texas worker’s compensation benefits include medical and income benefits to help replace missed wages.

4. File your worker's compensation claim

To receive workers' compensation benefits, you need to file a claim with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). You can do this by completing a DWC Form-041 within one year of the injury date to ensure your claim is considered.

Don’t let the fear of retaliation stop you from filing a claim. It’s against Texas law (under Texas Labor Code §451.001) and federal law (under the Occupational Safety and Health Act) for your boss to treat you differently just because you filed a claim. 

5. Follow up with your employer and with us 

After filing your claim, keep in touch with your employer and the workers' compensation insurance carrier. Follow up on the status of your claim and make sure you’ve submitted all necessary paperwork.

In addition to following up with your insurance benefits, follow up with your medical care. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need additional appointments to remove sutures, assess how a broken bone is healing, or check your wound.

To get the care you need following an on-the-job injury, call our team at 903-437-9212 or click here to request a workers’ compensation appointment.