As a worker in Texas, you face many risks of on-the-job injury, with higher or lower incidences of injury based largely on the industry you work in. Understanding the most common risks Texas workers face can help you understand the facts should you experience an injury on the job.
Following is some information about high-risk injuries as well as a few of the more common types of job-based injuries Texas workers experience. See how your industry matches up, and how you can inform yourself to minimize your risk of injury at work.
High-risk industries
The Texas Department of Insurance issues a yearly report compiling statistics about the number of occupational injuries and the industries where these injuries occur. In its 2016 report, the industry with the highest incidence rate of occupational injuries was in the farming, fishing and forestry industry. However, the highest number of cases occurred in the category of transportation and material moving occupations. In Texas, a primary industry involves the transport of oil and gas products by tankers, which clearly involves many risks for injury.
Common injuries
In the 2016 report cited above, the most common injuries were sprains, strains and tears, with 18,420 reported cases. It said 7,690 of these cases involved back injuries, representing nearly half. Fractures had the highest incidence rate.
If you experience any of the common injuries on the job and it leads to lost days of work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. The issue in Texas that some employees face, however, is that Texas law on injuries at work does not require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This clearly causes problems for injured employees if employers deny the compensation the employee believes is due, whether it comes in the form of lost wages or compensation for medical bills.
There can be many questions surrounding these requirements, which is why it can often be a good idea to consult with an attorney who understands the specifics of Texas labor law. Often, you can have a no-cost consultation to learn whether you may have a case. If you believe your workplace injury was a result of employer fault or negligence, it may be beneficial for you to contact a lawyer to learn more about your particular rights under Texas law.
