North Texas Non-Subscriber Employers Do Not Carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage!
At Sandoval Armstrong, PLLC, we’ve spent years helping injured workers across North Texas who were employed by Texas Non-Subscriber companies. But who are these non-subscribers? Many are large, well-known companies like Walmart, Amazon, HEB, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Target, and many others.
Our clients often came to us thinking they were being denied workers’ compensation benefits—only to find out that these were not traditional workers’ compensation cases. So what were they?
These are Texas non-subscriber claims.
Thousands of warehouse and distribution center workers across North Texas — including Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington — put their safety on the line every day at companies like Amazon, Walmart, and HEB. Unfortunately, injuries are all too common in these fast-paced environments. If your employer is a non-subscriber to Texas workers’ comp, your rights might be at risk. That’s where Sandoval & Armstrong come in. Our attorneys help injured workers fight back and get the compensation they deserve.
If you work for one of these companies and you’re injured on the job in North Texas, your claim is not a traditional workers’ compensation claim—it’s a non-subscriber claim.
Texas Non-Subscribers Companies
ERISA Plan Benefits Are Not a Substitute for North Texas Workers’ Compensation
Texas non-subscribers are able to provide injury benefits to employee pursuant to The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or, ERISA. Understanding the difference between a Texas Non-Subscriber case and a Texas Workers’ compensation case is crucial to understanding your rights to compensation and medical care. When an employee is injured on the job, the injury is reported, usually within 24 hours of the incident, and a claim is opened with a third-party administrator. That third-party administrator manages the treatment that will be allowed under “The Plan”. The underlying purpose behind a non-subscriber program is to:
- Limit the Employer’s Exposure to being sued.
- Control the Medical Benefits Paid to an Injured Employee;
- Control the Wage Benefits Paid to an Injured Employee;
- Control the overall costs to the Non-Subscriber Employer.
In short, by electing to go outside of Texas Workers’ Compensation, under a non-subscriber ERISA plan, a Texas employer is in a better position to limit what is spent on injury claims every year! Usually, the savings to the employer come at the expense of the injured employees. In other words, where it appears an employer can escape liability, the injured employee’s claim for medical and wage benefits will be denied. [phone-english section=’Content-Text’].
What Happens if Your Non-Subscriber Claim Is Denied?
Don’t face it alone. If your claim has been denied, it’s important to explore whether you can take legal action against your employer for failing to provide a safe work environment. Ask yourself: Was your injury caused by your employer’s negligence? If the answer is yes, you may have the right to file a lawsuit for your work-related injury.
If you’ve been injured while working for a Texas non-subscriber employer, you probably have a lot of questions about your rights and benefits. Unfortunately, the non-subscriber system often puts the company’s interests ahead of the employee’s. That’s why it’s critical for injured workers to take control and seek experienced legal guidance to protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Texas Non-Subscriber Claims:
Non-Subscriber Claim Process
- Do I Have A Good Texas Worker’s Compensation Case?
- What if my worker’s compensation claim is denied, Can I still sue my employer for negligence?
- What steps should I take to protect my rights?
- What kind of Work Injury Coverage Can My Employer Have?
- What are Texas Non-Subscribers?
- What is the likelihood that my employer is a Texas Non-subscriber?
- How are Workers’ Compensation Claims Different from Non-subscriber Claims?
- Should I Go On FMLA In My Workers’ Compensation or Non-Subscriber Case?
- Should I Sign Any Documents From my Employer after I’ve Suffered a Work Injury?
- Should I Apply for Short-Term or Long-Term Disability In My Texas Non-Subscriber Case?
- What Is an employment benefit plan or summary plan description?
- How Much Time do I have to file my non-subscriber Claim?
- How soon so I have to report my injury?
- Why Can’t I Get A Response from the Claims adjuster?
- The Role of the Adjuster in Texas Non-Subscriber Cases?
- How Can Your Work Injury Claim in Texas Be Rejected?
- Can A Texas Work Injury Case Be Resolved In Less Than A Year?
- Why Was My Claim Denied?
Non-Subscriber Medical Treatment
- In My Work Injury Compensation Case, Am I Really “Required” to See the Company Doctors?
- Can I See my Own Doctor?
- Why won’t the adjuster approve an MRI?
- What is an independent medical examination or IME?
- What is an Adverse Benefit Determination?
- How can my injury be pre-existing?
Hiring an Attorney in a Non-Subscriber Case
- Will I Get Fired If I Hire A Lawyer?
- Can I Claim Lost Wages And Recover Medical Costs?
- How Long Will It Take To Resolve My Work Injury Case?
- What are Attorney’s Fees Texas Non-Subscriber Cases?>
- Do I Pay Attorneys Fees If My Case Is Lost?
- Do I Pay Case Expenses If My Case Is Lost?
- Does My Lawyer Need To Live In The Area Where I Live?
- Don’t Let A Lawyer Choose You, You Choose Your Lawyer!
- Do I Need a Workers’ Comp Lawyer or a Non-Subscriber Work Injury Lawyer?
- Hire A Texas Nonsubscriber Lawyer Early In Your Injury Case!
- Having a Positive Result in Your Texas Non Subscriber Work Injury Case
- Your Texas Non Subscriber Case Will be Our Priority Every Step of the Way!
Other Considerations in a Non-Subscriber Case
- The Impact Of Having a Work Injury When You’re In The Second Half Of Your Work Life
- What Are The Truths And Myths Involved In A Work Injury Case?
- Without Legal Action, Why Is The Injured Worker Doomed In Texas Non-Subscriber Claims?
- What Is The Statute Of Limitations In Texas Non-Subscriber Cases?
Even after understanding some of these concepts, you will need to be sure you speak with a Texas non-subscriber attorney that can provide with the best way to approach your case. While you may feel like your employer is providing the treatment you need, there will come a time when that will no longer be true and you’re claim will eventually be closed. Do not wait until you receive an Adverse Benefit Determination (Claim Denial) before you seek legal representation. Get ahead of your employer and seek the advice you need for your specific case.
Our firm handles work injury cases of all types. We are willing and able to discuss your work injury case when you are ready to get serious about holding your employer responsible for your injuries. Call us at [phone-english section=’Content’] and put Sandoval Armstrong, PLLC. to work for you!