Workers’ Compensation in Texas
The southern states, including Texas, are some of the most dangerous for workers.
According to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Texas ranked first in the nation with more than 1,300 serve workplace injuries in 2021. Florida, with just over 1,000 severe workplace injuries, came in second place. No other state had more than 800 severe injuries that year.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 529 believes it is vital for workers to be fairly compensated for injuries suffered due to unsafe working conditions.
All Local 529 signatory-affiliated contractors carry workers’ compensation insurance and believe it is essential to do so, as workers deserve to keep earning a living while unable to work through no fault of their own.
Workers’ Compensation in Texas
Construction is a dangerous injury, especially in Texas, as many non-union construction workers do not take industry-leading OSHA safety training.
As OSHA’s data shows, there were a high number of reportable, severe workplace injuries in Texas in 2021. This means there should have been over 1,300 Workers’ Compensation claims. However, it is likely many of these workers were not covered by Workers’ Compensation and missed paychecks because they could not work.
In order for a Texan, who is injured on the job to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits, their employer must have workers’ compensation insurance. All Local 529-affiliated contractors possess this insurance, so our Local 529 Brothers and Sisters can continue to provide for their families even when out of work due to injury.
You can learn more about workers’ compensation in Texas and how to file a claim for benefits by visiting the Texas Department of Insurance website.
