Workers' compensation is an insurance program that provides benefits to workers who are injured or become ill as a result of their work. In Texas, there are specific time limits for filing a workers' compensation claim. In this article, we will discuss how many days a person has to file a workers' compensation claim in Texas.
How Many Days Do I Have to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Texas?
In Texas, the law requires workers to report their work-related injury or illness to their employer within 30 days of the incident. Failure to report the injury within this time frame may result in a denial of the workers' compensation claim.
After the injury has been reported, the injured worker has one year from the date of injury to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits. If the injury or illness is caused by exposure to toxic substances, the one-year time limit begins from the date that the worker knew or should have known about the injury or illness.
It is important to note that while workers have up to one year to file a claim, it is recommended that they file as soon as possible after the injury or illness occurs. Delaying the filing of a claim can result in a denial of benefits or delays in receiving benefits.
What Happens if I Miss the Deadline to File a Workers' Compensation Claim?
If a worker misses the deadline to file a workers' compensation claim, they may be ineligible to receive benefits. However, there are certain exceptions to the deadline. For example, if the employer was aware of the injury but failed to file the necessary paperwork, or if the injury was caused by a repetitive motion or exposure to a toxic substance, the injured worker may still be eligible for benefits.
In addition, there may be other legal options available to an injured worker who misses the deadline to file a workers' compensation claim. For example, they may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the employer or a third party. We can assist with exploring these options.
In Texas, workers who are injured on the job have 30 days to report the injury to their employer and one year from the date of injury to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits. It is important to file as soon as possible after the injury or illness occurs to avoid delays in receiving benefits. If the deadline is missed, there may still be legal options available. Ryan Pigg can assist injured workers with filing a workers' compensation claim and exploring other legal options.
