No-one is normally prepared for an accident at work, but even in the most unlikely places accidents may still occur. If you have been injured while at work in the city of El Paso, you will want to know whether you can obtain fair and adequate compensation for your injuries. Many employers have workers’ compensation insurance in El Paso, although this is not a legal requirement anywhere in Texas. If you cannot make a workers’ comp. claim you may be able to file a personal injury claim instead. A workers’ comp. lawyer in El Paso can help you with either claim. How to Choose a Workers’ Comp. Lawyer in El Paso It can be hard succeeding in obtaining compensation for a workplace injury without legal assistance. You should always use a licensed workers’ compensation lawyer rather than any other lawyer. There are many good lawyers in El Paso, but only 20 of them advertise themselves as workers’ compensation lawyers. Even if you find that you have to file a personal injury claim rather than a workers’ compensation claim, it is a good idea to choose a lawyer who normally deals with workers’ injury claims. Workers’ Injuries in El Paso There are more people working in offices and food supply and food service industry than any other occupation, but these are not the most risky of jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps a record* of all serious and fatal workplace injuries statewide and their figures reveal that the most dangerous of occupations in El Paso are those in the construction and transportation industries. Both these occupations match each other for incidence of workplace injuries. Injuries in transportation can happen when driving trucks and buses, handling heavy goods, and when maintaining roads and highways in and around the city. The Workers’ Compensation Process in El Paso If you work for an employer who has workers’ comp. insurance, a claim must be submitted to the insurer within 1 year of the injury. This also prevents you from submitting a separate personal injury claim unless the amount of compensation is far too low or the claim is denied. The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation oversees workers’ comp. claims in the state. Personal injury claims may be filed if your employer is not covered by workers’ comp. insurance, but you must be sure that the injury was caused by negligence on the part of your employer. Workers’ comp., on the other hand, is a no-fault insurance claim. Your personal injury petition should be filed within 2 years of the injury with all supporting documentation at the appropriate civil court. Your lawyer will be able to let you know which court this will be. In El Paso, most civil claims are handled by the district court at 500 East San Antonio. This is open from 8.30 a.m. through to 5 p.m., every weekday unless it is a public holiday. Use a Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable Lawyer in El Paso El Paso is a relatively small Texas city, but there are still 20 lawyers that can handle your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim after a workplace injury. Which should you choose? To help you select the best lawyer for your needs in El Paso, use our free evaluation form below. Additional Resources Workers’ Compensation in Texas Workers' Compensation Attorneys in Texas *Source: bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm#TX
