Home Depot Workers’ Compensation Claims in Houston

Working at almost any job comes with hazards. Even jobs in the retail sector can bring significant dangers. Perhaps nowhere is this truer than in home improvement stores like Home Depot. Many employees will need to move heavy products, use complex machinery, or deal with potential risks simply from walking the store floor. All people who endure injuries while performing their job deserve compensation to cover their losses.

When an employer is a non-subscriber to the state workers’ compensation insurance plan, that employer is responsible for providing this compensation to workers. Especially when an injury is the product of an employer’s negligence, you have the right to seek out full payment for your losses. A personal injury attorney may be able to help pursue Home Depot workers’ compensation claims in Houston.

Workers’ Compensation Laws in Houston

Texas is the only state in the country that does not require employers to retain some form of workers’ compensation insurance. While employers may sign onto the state-sponsored workers’ compensation program, they are also allowed to be non-subscribers. This means that they will obtain insurance protection under an ERISA benefits plan that a third party administers.

These plans function much the same way as traditional workers’ compensation policies. If a worker suffers an injury on the job, they may seek out benefits in the form of medical care and partial wage reimbursement. Many employers like Home Depot select this option as a cheaper way to remain compliant with the law.

The drawback for employers is in their potential liability following an injury. Workers’ compensation acts as a shield against liability for any workplace injury. By contrast, being non-subscribed means that an employer is directly liable for incidents that affect their workers that are the result of the employer’s negligence.

An attorney must prove this negligence. For instance, Home Depot may be negligent by not giving workers proper safety training or by failing to repair faulty equipment in the store. Allowing an attorney to evaluate the cause of a workplace injury could help employees determine if they can seek out full compensation from negligent employers.

How Working at Home Depot May Cause Severe Injuries

Home Depot has more opportunities for workplace hazards than most others in the retail sector. While some workers simply serve as cashiers or customer service representatives, others operate dangerous machinery or stock shelves with items weighing in excess of one hundred pounds.

Any worker who endures an injury that forces them to miss time at work is eligible for benefits under a workers’ compensation plan or ERISA policy. At the same time, these incidents leave Home Depot liable in personal injury lawsuits when their negligence leads to these injuries. Common examples of these injuries include:

• Separated joints
• Severe cuts
• Spinal cord or vertebral damage
• Broken bones
• Concussions or other examples of traumatic brain injuries
• Burns

An attorney could examine a case and determine if Home Depot workers’ compensation claims in Houston can demand compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and reductions in one’s quality of life.

Learn More About Home Depot Workers’ Compensation Claims in Houston

All employees have the right to pursue their careers free from danger in the workplace. Sadly, working at the Home Depot comes with many potential hazards. No matter how your injury occurs, you deserve compensation that lets you make your recovery while still enjoying financial stability.

However, when companies opt out of workers’ compensation insurance plans and choose to be non-subscribers, this process can become more difficult. When your employer was negligent in allowing your injury to occur, you may even be able to demand payments for full lost wages and lost quality of life. Contact us now to see how to the Schechter Shaffer & Harris team can help pursue Home Depot workers’ compensation claims in Houston.