Most workers in Texas are entitled to coverage under Texas’s worker’s compensation law. If you work in the oilfield, in most instances, you are entitled to protection under worker’s compensation. If you work in another field, such as construction, industry, or are employed in Texas, you may also be entitled to worker’s compensation. This means that you might be entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses should you be injured on the job. Unfortunately, sometimes employers may misclassify employees, thus denying them the worker’s compensation benefits they may be entitled to receive. In other cases, employers might tell their workers that they are exempt from worker’s compensation when they are not exempt from these protections. If you have been wrongfully denied worker’s compensation benefits you are entitled to receive, you may have the right to pursue a claim against your employer for lost benefits.
Are you entitled to worker’s compensation benefits if you work in the oilfield or another industry? And what can you do if you were wrongfully denied worker’s compensation benefits? Moore & Associates are employment lawyers in Houston, Texas who provide legal counsel to workers who may have unpaid wages, unpaid benefits, and suffered other losses due to abuses on the part of their employer.
Who is Entitled to Receive Worker’s Compensation?
In Texas, if you are employed, you are most likely covered under worker’s compensation insurance. Workers who are injured on the job may be entitled to receive money for medical expenses, lost wages, disability, rehabilitation, and work retraining. Instead of suing an employer for your injuries, workers are permitted to make a worker’s compensation claim. When workers are protected under worker’s compensation, they are barred from suing their employer. Most employers are required to provide their workers with worker’s compensation. However, there are certain exemptions. Problems can arise when employers who are not exempt from providing their workers with worker’s compensation claim that they are exempt. Other issues can arise when employers misclassify employees as independent contractors. Workers who want to make a claim may need to pursue their employer to receive benefits or to make a claim.
In order to qualify for worker’s compensation benefits, you must be considered an employee. Some employers may try to bypass this criterion by wrongfully declaring a worker an independent contractor. If this describes your situation, you may want to speak to the employment lawyers at Moore & Associates in Houston, Texas today. Our firm can review your situation and may be able to help you get the benefits you may deserve, by fighting your wrongful misclassification either inside or outside of court.
Most employers are required to have worker’s compensation insurance for their employees. Whether your employer is required to have insurance will depend on how many employees the company has, what type of business the company runs, and the work employees are required to perform. Texas requires virtually all private employers to have worker’s compensation insurance or to self-insure its workers. If your employer is telling you that you are not covered, you may want to speak to Moore & Associates, employment attorneys in Houston, Texas today. Our firm can review your employment contract, your employment situation, and help you fight back if you have been wrongfully denied coverage.
Are You An Exempt Worker?
There are certain types of workers who are exempt from worker’s compensation. These workers include, domestic workers, agricultural and farm workers, seasonal workers, and temp agency workers. Yet, if you have been denied compensation or benefits and you are employed in these categories, you may have other options when it comes to protecting your rights. Contact Moore & Associates, an employment lawyer in Houston, Texas today to learn more about your options. We can review your employment situation and help you understand your options.
Employee Misclassification Denies Workers More than Unpaid Wages in Texas
When employers misclassify their workers, employees lose out on far more than unpaid wages, overtime pay, and benefits. They can also lose out on access to valuable worker’s compensation insurance that can protect them should they be injured on the job. If you were injured on the job and had to pay your medical bills out of pocket, you may have a case. If you were classified as an independent contractor in Houston, Texas and believe you were misclassified, Moore & Associates are Houston, Texas employment lawyers who may be able to help you fight for your rights. We may be able to help you recover unpaid wages and recover a settlement for benefits you might have been denied.
Moore & Associates fights for workers’ rights in Texas. Unfortunately, workers may not always understand the scope of their rights, which can result in lost wages and denied benefits. Information is power. Contact Moore & Associates today to learn more. We can help.
