When you start a new job, there are a lot of factors to consider. There might be paperwork to sign, there’s scheduling to be done, there’s learning the job, and there might be equipment to buy. The structure of the organization itself, though, is rarely on your mind.
But it should be.
Texas private companies reported 178,900 occupational illnesses and injuries in 2021. If injured parties don’t have critical pieces of information about their employer, it can delay or even keep them from receiving the help they need or the compensation they deserve.
If you are starting a new job in Texas, you need to gather several pieces of information about your employers. Not only will this information help prevent them from taking advantage of you, it will be critical in holding them accountable if you’re injured on the job.
Basic Employer Information You Should Know
If you’re a day laborer, a contract employee, or hold a part-time job, you might have limited information about the company you’re working for. Not having this information can delay an investigation if there is an accident, and essential evidence showing the employer’s fault in an accident can be lost or hidden.
Information that you should save about your employer and job are:
- The contact information of the person who hired you.
- The name of the parent company.
- The address of the place where you are doing the work.
- The license plate of the car of the person who pays you.
Be Sure to Get Your Coworkers’ Contact Information
If you’re injured on a job site, your coworkers will likely be key witnesses to what took place. Make sure you know how to get in touch with them.
Be Sure to Get the Contact Information of the Person Who Hired You
Be sure you know the first and last name, address, and phone number of the person that hired you to do the work.
Know the Name of the Parent Company and Subcontractors
Oftentimes you’ll be hired by a subcontractor to do a specific job for a larger company. If possible, understand who contracted the subcontractor who hired you, and the organization that hired that contractor.
Know the Address of the Work Site
You might be asked to travel to different job sites during the course of your employment. Always make sure you know the address of the job site. Your personal injury attorney can also pay a visit to the site and get information about the company responsible for the project.
Take Down the License Plate of the Car of the Person Who Pays You
With this information, you can contact the company in case they don’t remember the person’s name.
With this in mind, each situation is unique. There might be other pieces of information to collect, as well, to protect you if you’re hurt on the job. Remember, the more information you have, the better.
If you’re injured, your personal injury attorneys will want all of this information as soon as possible after the accident. That way, they can thoroughly investigate and determine if you may be entitled to compensation.
Rights to a Safe Workplace
Beyond the information you’ll need to successfully file a personal injury lawsuit, you should also know your rights regarding safe workplaces. OSHA administers workplace safety rules in the United States, and there are many federal laws that apply to all workplaces. Some of your rights as a worker regarding safety include:
- You have to receive health and safety training in a language you know
- Any machinery you use must be safe to operate
- Companies must provide safety equipment, personal protective equipment, goggles, and harnesses if necessary
- You should be appropriately protected from hazardous chemicals
If you suspect your workplace is unsafe, you can request an OSHA inspection or file a complaint. If you’ve been injured due to unsafe or hazardous conditions at your job site, talk to Pastrana & Garcia’s personal injury attorneys today to determine how to pursue a claim. One of the first steps will be proving your employer acted negligently.
Proving Negligence In a Workplace Injury Lawsuit
If you were hurt at work you can pursue damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit. You and your personal injury attorney must show that the employer or any other company involved in the accident was at least partially at fault for your injuries. If you can prove that, it is possible to obtain the compensation you need to recover, which may include:
- Pain and suffering from your injury
- Medical bills
- Past and future lost earnings
- Past and future impairment and loss of ability to enjoy life
- Mental anguish
Your attorney will review the accident and your medical bills and determine if filing a lawsuit is worth it. The attorney will look for signs of negligence that can be proven. For example, if you operated a forklift and pallet jack in a warehouse and did not receive training, you could sue because your employer neglected their duties.
To receive compensation in a lawsuit for a workplace injury in Texas, the following must be true:
- First, you have proven that your employer or any other company involved in the incident was negligent
- You have shown that you were hurt at work and have medical documentation to prove it
- You have demonstrated the monetary value of your losses as of today and in the future
- Your attorney will need to successfully refute the company’s defenses
If you want to pursue a personal injury claim, it’s important to have and understand all of the information we’ve listed above. However, to win the case, you’ll require the help of a skilled Texas personal injury attorney.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Whenever you start a new job, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about your employer. Employment structures that involve day laborers, contractors, subcontractors, and various different crews can get complicated quickly, and injured parties can be denied the help they need if information about their employer is missing.
If you’ve been injured and are worried you don’t have enough information to pursue a claim, don’t give up. We are here to help. The personal injury attorneys at Pastrana & García Injury Law can help you investigate your accident and gather the information you’ll need to successfully file a claim in court. Contact us today.
