We have assisted injured workers in the Brownsville and surrounding areas for years, and we know how hard families in this area work for their paychecks. Our philosophy is to provide the personal attention your case needs so that you receive your maximum recovery if you have been injured in an accident at work. We have the experience required to deal with difficult employers so that you can get the compensation that you are owed.
In Texas, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and proper training for every worker they employ. Workers’ compensation coverage should be available to employees, in the event of a workplace injury. When an accident does happen, you want peace of mind that you will be able to handle the medical bills or loss of income or both. Often an employee is forced to take short-term or long-term disability due to the injury, and hopefully, their employers’ workers’ compensation coverage can help them recover the costs of the injury and recovery, as well as any associated expenses.
However, workers may find that their employer is unwilling to provide fair and adequate compensation for their injuries. If you have been hurt in a workplace accident, The Benton Law Firm will fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
Don’t delay – complete our online contact form, chat live, or contact The Benton Law Firm today at (956) 230-6390, and rest assured, we will personally evaluate your case, and we will fight for your rights!
Why Do I Need A Workplace Injury Attorney?
Have you been injured at work? If so, you probably are very concerned that you cannot afford to be out of work for any length of time. You may also be anxious as to how you are going to pay your living expenses, including your ongoing medical bills. As an injured worker in Texas, you may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and short or long-term care.
Many times, workers with legitimate injuries are unable to recover the compensation they so desperately need because their employer may ignore, deny, or stall their legitimate claim. Employers or insurance companies do not make money by looking out for your best interests. When you hire us, you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to help you recover the costs of your medical expenses, lost wages, and get the benefits you are owed. We look out for you and get the results that you deserve!
Why Choose The Benton Law Firm?
If you need a workplace attorney in Brownsville, you could choose from any firm in the area. Yet, how do you know that they would offer the personal attention and commitment that The Benton Law Firm can offer?
Since 2012, The Benton Law Firm has been dedicated to protecting the citizens of Brownsville and the surrounding area. Our skilled legal team is uniquely qualified to assist you, as the founder, Jeff Benton, knows the values that are important to the people of Texas. Mr. Benton learned that hard work, attention to detail, and service to others are essential, and his firm is centered on these values. In 2013, Jeff was honored with the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association’s John Howie award for the courageous pursuit of justice in the face of adversity. Our firm will go the extra mile for you to seek justice and obtain the maximum compensation that you deserve.
We understand the physical pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and stress that often result from the negligence, recklessness, and wrongful conduct of others. When you are facing a legal battle with your employer regarding a work injury, we fight back! Protecting the interests of Texans is what our firm does. Complete our online contact form, chat live, or call us today at (956) 230-6390.
Workplace Injury Cases That We Handle
At The Benton Law Firm, our Texas workers compensation lawyers are prepared to help you if you have been hurt on the job. Our nation’s primary workplace safety and health law is the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970, which requires all private-sector employers to furnish a safe workplace, free of recognized hazards, to their employees, and requires employers and employees to comply with occupational safety and health standards. OSHA has noted the following violations present in workplaces:
- Fall protection – When it comes to work-related injuries and deaths, one of the most common causes are falls from elevation. It is the responsibility of the employer to help prevent employees from falling from platforms or into open areas like basements or holes in flooring.
- Hazard communication standard – The Texas Hazard Communication Act (THCA) is a state worker right-to-know law that requires public employers to provide their employees with specific information and training on the hazardous chemicals to which employees may be exposed in the workplace.
- Scaffolding requirements – The construction industry has standards for scaffold use, and their rules aim to protect workers that are using scaffolding in construction work. These types of hazards continue to rank high on the list of the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry, and there are a significant number of fatalities in this area.
- Respiratory protection – In workplaces, there are engineering controls that are implemented to control the exposure of employees to respiratory hazards, such as dust, chemicals, metals or other toxic contaminants.
- Electrical and wiring methods – Electricians and other professional engineers who are tasked with directly working with electrical systems may be at risk of electrical exposure through circuit assemblies, overhead power lines, or cable harnesses. Electricians are not the only ones who may be exposed to this threat, however, as even office and administrative workers may suffer serious harm if they are exposed to an electrical current while in the workplace. OSHA’s electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions.
- Powered industrial trucks – Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. There are many types of powered industrial vehicles, and each class presents different operating hazards. Workplace type and conditions are also factors in risks commonly associated with powered industrial trucks.
- Ladders – Stairways and ladders are a significant source of injuries and fatalities among construction workers, according to OSHA. Many injuries and some deaths occur due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction.
- Control of hazardous energy – This involves the practices and procedures necessary to prevent the release of hazardous energy when employees are servicing and maintaining equipment or machinery. Machinery should always be disabled before workers attempt to service them, otherwise, they may be put at serious risk of an injury accident.
- Electrical systems design – There are design safety standards for electrical systems in place. Included in these categories are all electric equipment and installations used to provide current electric power and light for employee workplaces, as well as for possible future design safety standards for other electrical systems.
- Machinery and machine guarding – Machine parts can pose serious hazards to employees, causing serious workplace injuries like amputations, serious burns, crushed hands and limbs, and severe eye injuries. These can often be prevented by implementing practical safeguards and properly training employees on the correct use of the machinery.
Many of these violations seem to be focused on specific industries, like construction. Yet any company can have exposed wiring or dangerous hazards that can lead to falls or other injuries. In fact, construction worker injuries typically only account for only about 20% of all workplace injuries recorded throughout the country. Other common work accidents also include violent attacks, repetitive motion injuries, vehicle accidents, walking into injuries, reaction injuries, or overexertion injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you were hurt at work or suffered a serious illness that forced you to miss a significant amount of time, you likely have questions about your options for securing fair compensation. We have put together this helpful list of common questions and answers for you to review. If you have specific concerns relating to your particular situation, we highly encourage you to contact us at (956) 230-6390 so we can discuss your claim with you.
I’ve been injured on the job, what should I do?
You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days from the date of the injury, or from the date you knew your injury or illness was related to your job. If you don’t notify your employer within these 30 days, your right to obtain benefits could be lost. It is recommended to seek legal counsel for other required documentation that may be required.
Will I be paid for time off of work if my doctor required me to take leave?
It all depends on your eligibility for benefits and if you are able to return to work or not. These claims are handled on a case-by-case basis, and your eligibility for compensation often depends on your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. You may be eligible for Temporary Income Benefits (or TIBs) to replace wages lost due to a workplace injury.
My employer is treating me differently since my work-related injury, what can I do?
If you believe you are being treated unfairly by your employer because of your injury, it is advisable to contact a work injury attorney. It is against the law for an employer to discriminate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
How do I know if my type of injury on the job would qualify for workers’ compensation?
If you have become ill on the job or suffered an injury while working, it is likely that you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. You do not need to prove that the conditions were unsafe or that you were injured due to negligence of any kind. You may be eligible for benefits even if there is no discernable reason or specific cause of the accident. Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney today to discuss your claim at (956) 230-6390.
U.S. Worker Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities – Statistics
Every year, thousands of workers are hurt while on the job across the United States. An employer may have failed to establish safe working conditions or may have violated state and federal safety regulations. According to the federal OSHA website, 4,836 workers were killed on the job in 2015, which equals to, on average, more than 93 a week or more than 13 deaths every day.
Out of 4,379 worker fatalities in private industry in the calendar year 2015, 937 or 21.4% were in construction — that is, one in five worker deaths last year were in construction. The leading causes of private sector worker deaths (excluding highway collisions) in the construction industry were falls, followed by being struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.
The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) refers to these injuries as the “Fatal Four,” These “Fatal Four” were responsible for more than half (64.2%) of the construction worker deaths in 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. The BLS further reported that eliminating the Fatal Four would save 602 workers’ lives in America every year. See the fatal four listing below in its entirety:
- Falls — 364 out of 937 total deaths in construction in 2015 (38.8%)
- Struck by Object – 90 (9.6%)
- Electrocutions – 81 (8.6%)
- Caught-in/between – 67 (7.2%) This category includes construction workers killed when caught-in or compressed by equipment or objects, and struck, caught or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material
If you have been hurt in an accident at work, you have the right to consult an experienced workplace accident attorney to discuss your rights and have a representative that is looking out for your best interests at all times.
Contact a Brownsville Workplace Accident Lawyer
If you have been hurt in an accident at work, do not despair, there is help available to you. The legal team at The Benton Law Firm has helped other injured workers in Brownsville and the surrounding area secure the benefits they desperately needed after a workplace accident, and we are ready to help you do the same. To schedule a consultation, complete our online form, chat live or call us today at (956) 230-6390. Don’t wait until it is too late to file your claim, contact us today!