Workers Compensation

No job is without its occupational liabilities, and at times any employee could get hurt just when they’re trying to do their job. As a result, they might face significant personal losses that might threaten them with financial insecurity. It’s at this point that their employer should be able to step in to provide workers’ compensation benefits.  

Workers’ compensation insurance is not something that any business should be without if they want a strong risk management strategy. Let Pan American Insurance help you find the policy that will be customized for your company’s unique needs.  

Call us today at (915) 562-0009 or request your free policy quote online to learn more!  

Common Workers Compensation Insurance Questions

What is Workers Compensation Insurance Coverage?

When someone sustains an occupational injury, they could face significant personal challenges, such as:  

• Medical bills caused by emergency treatment and ongoing care
• Temporary or permanent disabilities that require rehabilitation and maintenance
• Lost income resulting from their inability to continue to work

All these challenges could create a lot of financial insecurity for the victim. Because the injury occurred on the employer’s time, then it is the employer’s workers compensation insurance that can provide the necessary financial assistance.  

Who Does Workers Compensation Insurance Cover?

Workers compensation insurance has two primary objectives:  

• Having a policy frees the employer from liability for employee accidents in most cases. By agreeing to take workers compensation benefits, the employee waives the right to sue the employer over their injury, except in certain circumstances.
• The employee will be able to use their workers compensation benefits as supplementary income throughout their recovery period. Benefits will help replace the money lost from their inability to work in their normal capacity.

When Is Workers Compensation Insurance Required?

Texas is different from most other states because it doesn’t generally mandate workers’ compensation insurance. However, this coverage is still an appealing option for most business owners since it provides important protections for employees and employers after a work-related injury or illness. Companies that contract with government entities are required to have coverage.

There are a few industries that must provide employees with workers’ compensation. Texas requirements for coverage include:

• Any public employer, including cities, counties, and state agencies
• State universities, including the University of Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech University
• Building and construction contractors for public employers
• Motorbus companies Motor carriers (providing transportation over public highways)
• Liquid propane gas and compressed natural gas dealers
• Employers of inmates in work furlough programs

How Does Workers Compensation Insurance Work?

There are numerous injuries that might qualify an employee for workers compensation, including:  

• Slip-and-fall injuries
• Burns
• Injuries sustained in vehicle accidents
• Machinery injuries
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Toxic exposure injuries
• Chronic illnesses sustained from the working environment
• Hearing loss

Depending on the employee’s qualifications for coverage, workers compensation might provide:

• Income assistance
• Medical benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Death benefits (provided to survivors if the employee dies in a workplace accident)

The employee must receive verification of their injury from a physician (of their choice) and file the appropriate documentation with their workers’ compensation claim. At this time, the insurer will follow Texas’s workers’ compensation guidelines to determine both the value of benefits and the length of time for which the recipient will qualify for assistance.