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Texas Workers' Compensation Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: can I qualify for workers compensation if I develop migraine and high blood pressure while working?

there have been ongoing report of how unruly and defiant and disrespectful my students have been in the classroom. So recently, while teaching them and needing to control their unacceptable behaviors in the classroom, I developed strong painful sensations to my left temporal lobe, I stopped all... View More

S. Michael Graham
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S. Michael Graham
answered on Nov 5, 2024

I cannot say that you cannot file this under workers' compensation but I would not represent you and I doubt you would be able to find an attorney that would. You can contact the Office Of Injured Employee Counsel at 1-866-393-6432. The type of injuries of which you speak are really ordinary... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: Hello. I have a question in regards to hiring a different attorney on my workers comp case in Texas.What is the process?

My accident is work related. The forklift was pulling on a bundle of conduit and the Strap Broke, While i was in the trench, caught me blind sided. I was treated by the ambulance and fire dept. The initial MRI showed i had suffered brain tissue was swollen and a brain tumor was diagnosed. My... View More

S. Michael Graham
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S. Michael Graham
answered on Sep 9, 2024

While you are always free to fire and then hire a new workers' comp attorney, the 2nd attorney will, in many cases, not be willing to represent you because you have to make sure your first attorney doesn't have a big attorney fee bill that needs to be satisfied first. Attorneys like to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: Hello. I have a question in regards to hiring a different attorney on my workers comp case in Texas.What is the process?

My accident is work related. The forklift was pulling on a bundle of conduit and the Strap Broke, While i was in the trench, caught me blind sided. I was treated by the ambulance and fire dept. The initial MRI showed i had suffered brain tissue was swollen and a brain tumor was diagnosed. My... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 9, 2024

A client can fire his own attorney at any time for any reason. The old attorney will still be entitled to compensation for services rendered up to the date of his termination. A new attorney often will not agree to take over a case until you have first paid the previous attorney as agreed.

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1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: I have lifetime medical through Texas mutual workers Comp insurance and after five or six surgeries to my foot it finall

I have lifetime medical through Texas mutual workers Comp insurance and after five or six surgeries to my foot it finally had to be amputated. Am I entitled to further compensation for the loss of a foot

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S. Michael Graham
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S. Michael Graham
answered on Sep 9, 2024

You are still entitled to reasonable and necessary medical care only. If you have not had an impairment rating and/or it's still within 90 days, you could challenge the rating and obtain a higher rating. I don't know if you have other injuries, that would qualify you for lifetime income... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation and Employment Discrimination for Texas on
Q: I was fired from my job one week after filing a worker’s comp claim. Is this something an attorney needs to handle?

Physician ordered head CT scan and was approved by WC.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 4, 2024

It is illegal to terminate an employee in retaliation for filing a WC claim. The timing raises the suspicion that you were terminated for filing your workers compensation claim. Of course, there may be other legitimate reasons why you were terminated. For example, an employee may be terminated... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Medical Malpractice, Small Claims and Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: can I file law suit for bad faith, pain and suffering , malpractice against an insurance carrier , intentional neglect

The claims management company, representing the insurance company, failed to provide a reasonable level of care for the treatment of a crush injury to the lower extremities. They did not offer suitable recovery or rehabilitation pathway that would be typical for a patient with similar injuries.... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 14, 2024

A claim for misrepresentation of the terms of the workers’ compensation insurance policy is really the only potential claim for bad faith by a workers compensation insurer in Texas. Your question does not indicate a misrepresentation concerning the terms of your workers' compensation... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation and Employment Law for Texas on
Q: I was injured at work by the skid steer operate with a faulty lever that was not fixed by the employer.

I was told to clean the excess dirt off of a bucket from a skid steer and the operator maybe through negligence closed the claws on me crushing me resulting in trauma to left shoulder and chest. The machine that caused the accident has had a bad lever (responsible for closing and opening the claws... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 19, 2024

Receiving a Form 1099 instead of a Form W-2 is evidence that you were an independent contractor and not an employee, but in and of itself, it is not dispositive. Some companies misclassify employees as independent contractors to try to avoid having to withhold federal income tax and payroll taxes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: Can a company be sued by an employee for mental and emotional stress?

My daughter is constantly bullied by her boss.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 12, 2024

"Stress" is not compensable but "mental anguish" is recoverable for certain breaches of legal duties.

Your daughter will be required to offer "direct evidence of the nature, duration, and severity of her mental anguish, thus establishing a substantial...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: worker’s comp, EMP is injured, MNG delays report, told to return to work, injuries worsen, negligence or liable on MNG?

OSHA violation for equipment prohibited, MNG cleaned cuts but infection set in, EMP is diabetic, INS CO omitted details of time and treatment before claim was filed, treating DR refused MRI for hand fracture with abscess as treated by EMERGENCY DR, denies injury effect and denies benefits.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 20, 2024

Whether the manager is negligent is most likely irrelevant. In a workers' compensation case, the injured employee is NOT REQUIRED to prove that his/her employer or one of his/her fellow employees was negligent. Workers' compensation provides medical benefits, temporary income benefits,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: Workers comp is saying they need to verify my impairment rating even though their certified, Doctor conducted rating.

Workers comp certified doctor gave me a rating of 44%. Worker’s Comp. said they will give me impairment rating benefits at an impairment rating of 5% until they can verify the 44%. How can they legally do this since my impairment rating came from their certified doctor to begin with?

S. Michael Graham
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S. Michael Graham
answered on Dec 27, 2023

The Carrier does not have to accept the rating provided by the state selected Designated Doctor. They can hire a private doctor (RME) and require you to go to this doctor. Then they can challenge the rating before and Administrative Law Judge (ADJ) in a Contested Case Hearing (Administrative Court).

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: My husband, John, got a torn right rotator cuff injury at work. He has seen a doctor for this and is currently receivin

workers compensation. He also has esophageal cancer that is metastatic and extremely aggressive. He days ago recieved the pt scan results that indicate the cancer has spread to more areas of his body. Our question is, being that this cancer is as aggressive as it is, is there a way to get a... View More

S. Michael Graham
PREMIUM
S. Michael Graham
answered on Dec 27, 2023

I sorry to hear you husband is having a rough go of it. If your claim is filed through the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, there is no settlement. If surgery has not been recommended or he chooses not to have the elective surgery, you could attempt to get an... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: Was hurt at work. Insurance company treated herniated disc in my back. Now they are saying it was not part of the injur
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 7, 2023

A herniated disc is a relatively common injury that can result from a work-related accident or several other possible causes. It can occur as a result of an acute trauma or develop gradually over time. Particularly in the latter case, it may go completely unnoticed by the patient and not produce... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: Was hurt at work. Insurance company treated herniated disc in my back. Now they are saying it was not part of the injur
Neill Nwoha
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Neill Nwoha pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 29, 2023

Ah, this is just business as usual. I have never come across a workers compensation doctor that was able to found an injury. And the ones that do dont tend to get re-hired by company's.

I would seek a second opinion from a different doctor, and inform your employer of the findings of...
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Q: I wanna sell my patents or patent where do I find my patent
James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 28, 2024

To find your patent, start by visiting the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website. Use their search tool, the Patent Full-Text and Image Database (PatFT), to look up your patent. You'll need your patent number or application number for a precise search. If you don’t have... View More

Q: If you're old employer lies in a workmanc comp hearing can you sue for deformation ? He committed perjury.

"I am currently seeking legal representation to address the egregious actions taken against me by Robbins Chevrolet. This includes filing a lawsuit against them for the perjury committed during two hearings, defamation of character, and any other legal avenues available to seek justice for the... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 26, 2024

Generally speaking, statements made during the course of judicial or administrative proceedings are subject to the affirmative defense of absolute privilege in any subsequent defamation proceeding. That means such statements cannot provide an avenue for a claim for damages.

If your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation and Construction Law for Texas on
Q: Do I have a "pain and suffering" case?

I deliver lumber for a company. On Oct 20, 2023, I was delivering a load to a job site where the lift fell into a septic tank, which resulted in tearing my rotator cuff. I found out that the builder knew the septic tank was there, but only placed small flags to mark the area. Considering that... View More

S. Michael Graham
PREMIUM
S. Michael Graham
answered on Jan 30, 2024

You may have established the basic facts for a claim for negligence (failure to properly warn) against the land owner and/or builder of the premises. Lawyers refer to this as a third party claim since you also have a claim for workers' compensation.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: If I was let go from my job because of my injury, can I steal get my impairment, income benefits in a lump sum?

Everywhere I read, it says I have to return to work for three months in order to receive my impairment, income benefits in a lump sum, is this true if I was let go of from my employer, because of the injury

S. Michael Graham
PREMIUM
S. Michael Graham
answered on Dec 27, 2023

Yes. That's true. Contact OIEC 1-866-393-6432 or an attorney of your choice to verify. You must have worked for 3 months earning 80% of pay.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: If I’m ready to be released back to work and I feel my doctor is just dragging it out, can I demand to be released back?

I am ready to go back to work but i feel my doctor is dragging it out. Can I request to be released to go back to work or can the doctor refuse to release me?

T. Augustus Claus
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T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 29, 2023

Generally, a doctor has a professional responsibility to only release you to go back to work when it's medically appropriate. If you disagree with your doctor's assessment, you may seek a second opinion.

Q: ERISA502(A) My employer's Workmen's compensation plan is based on this part of the law, but they are not compliant.

They are not providing proper medical care

S. Michael Graham
PREMIUM
S. Michael Graham
answered on Aug 19, 2023

My law office doesn't handle ERISA claims. If your claim does not involve negligence on behalf of the employer or other third party, it is almost impossible to obtain legal representation. For this reason, the Carrier's offer little to no support. I like to refer to it as fake... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Texas on
Q: I lost my workers comp case in TX 5 yrs ago. Pain is 1000% worse now. Can I re-open claim?

The carrier claimed my lower back injury was pre-existing & ironically, judge said not enough evidence to show it was an aggravation of prior injury. I have been to 5 physical therapists, chiropractors, ortho doctors & pain is far worse. If this was the simple “strain” the court made it... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 20, 2023

Probably not.

Many people develop back problems like degenerative disc disease with age.

Many people remain unaware and without symptoms until they suffer a relatively minor back injury like a sprain.

Once they become aware of the problem, they become very attuned to the...
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