What to Do After a Houston Workplace Accident: Four Facts You Should Know

The oil refineries and chemical processing plants are a source of income for many Houston residents. The risks involved in these operations, however, can also result in serious on-the-job injuries for workers and can leave families without the financial resources needed to manage medical bills and ongoing expenses. For those injured in a Houston petrochemical plant accident, consulting an attorney and filing a claim for compensation is essential to ensure that families receive the funds needed to manage the costs of rehabilitation, recovery and other expenses after a workplace injury occurs. Here are four key facts that can help you navigate the process more successfully when seeking compensation for workplace injury claims in the state of Texas. Workers Compensation Is Not Your Only Option If your employer carries workers compensation coverage for staff members injured on the job, you may be able to collect from this fund to pay for medical fees, lost time from work and other expenses incurred as a result of your injury. If your employer does not subscribe to workers compensation insurance, however, you will need the help of a Houston industrial accident lawyer or personal injury attorney to collect fair compensation for injuries and damages sustained in the line of duty. Additionally, if your injuries were the result of exposure to a toxic substance or due to your employer’s negligence or failure to implement adequate safety protocols in the workplace, you may be able to bring action against the responsible parties even if workers compensation insurance is available to you. Time Is of the Essence Texas law allows you only two years from the date of your accident to file a case in court. For this reason, it is essential to contact a qualified Houston personal injury attorney as quickly as possible after a refinery or chemical plant accident occurs. If you or someone you love has been exposed to dangerous chemicals, symptoms may not develop for several months after the initial exposure. Your lawyer will be able to provide you with the most accurate guidance and may refer you to a medical specialist with experience in treating patients who have been exposed to toxic substances. Regardless of the nature of your injuries, however, an experienced attorney can offer accurate advice and counsel to help you achieve fair compensation for your injuries. Your Actions Could Protect Others By holding your employer responsible for negligence or failure to protect its workers against injury, you can actually improve safety in your working environment. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigates cases in which workers are injured on the job, especially in high-risk industries like petrochemical processing and refining of fossil fuels. Your personal injury case can help to highlight areas of concern and ways in which companies can improve their safety procedures to prevent further accidents and to comply fully with all OSHA regulations and requirements. By aggressively pursuing financial compensation, you can also provide a financial motivation for companies to invest in safety equipment and to revise their workflows to protect workers more effectively. Don’t Try to Go It Alone Working with a Houston attorney who specializes in workplace injury compensation can be of real help in navigating the workers compensation process and in obtaining a fair settlement for your injuries. By retaining the services of a qualified legal professional, you can enjoy greater peace of mind and can protect your rights both in and out of court. Your lawyer will evaluate your situation fairly and provide you with the information and advice needed to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve after a serious accident on the job. If you or someone you love has been injured in a Houston refinery or petrochemical plant accident, consulting with an experienced attorney can provide you with the most effective representation and the right solutions to ensure fair compensation for your injuries and losses. These dedicated legal professionals can help you obtain the highest possible settlement to reduce the financial impact of these catastrophic events on your Houston family.