Workers' compensation insurance exists so that 1.) employees are protected from out-of-pocket expenses related to work injuries and 2.) employers are protected from lawsuits and having to pay for the expenses of workers injured on the job.

Texas is one of the few states that does not require employers to offer workers' compensation benefits to employees. While employers are generally encouraged to have this coverage, not all do. And as we know, work injuries can happen in any work industry or job position. So how can you pursue compensation if you aren't covered by workers' comp?

Non-Subscriber Employers and Work Injuries

If your employer doesn't offer workers' compensation as a job benefit, they are known as “non-subscribers”—as in non-subscribers to the statewide workers' comp system. As such, they lose certain legal protections, including immunity from lawsuits filed by injured employees.

As one of the largest states in the nation, Texas has some of the longest stretches of roads running through it. In 2019, the annual vehicle miles traveled in Texas reached 286.268 billion, an increase of 1.5% over the 282.037 billion traveled in 2018.

Each year, the Texas Department of Transporation releases crash data from the year prior. We gathered the newest data from the agency, and here's how car crash data broke down in 2019:

• 1 person was killed every 2 hours 26 minutes

  ...

Many people know that, when a worker is injured on the job, they can file a workers' compensation claim in order to make up for lost wages and medical expenses related to their injury. But what happens when a worker contracts a disease or falls ill because of their job?

Illnesses and Scope of Employment

Fortunately, Texas workers' compensation laws also apply to illnesses, diseases, and other conditions that are related to a workers' specific job duties. This means that a worker who gets sick on the job can pursue benefits to get the care that they need.

In order to successfully do so, however, an injured worker must prove two things for the case:

In today's world, it's difficult to find a person that isn't on some form of social media, be it Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or another platform. Status updates and sharing pictures with our online friends are now commonplace, and sometimes we hit the “send” button without thinking too much about it.

When something major happens in your life, such as a work accident or injury, you may feel inclined to share your experience online. However, a seemingly innocent post could have devastating effects on the outcome of your work injury claim.

Social Media Used Against You

Let's say that you were involved in a workplace accident where you slipped and injured your back. While you are recovering from this injury, you are unable to work and suffer lost wages. So, you file a workers' compensation claim in order to get benefits and make up for this lost period of work.

Independence Day is right around the corner, and millions of Americans will be coming together to celebrate the birth of our nation. While everyone wants to relax and enjoy the holiday with comradery, it's incredibly important to remember that safety is always the number one priority.

Statistics show that the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays due to drunk-driving crashes. In fact, 40% of all car accident fatalities in 2018 were caused by an alcohol-impaired driver.

Whether you are traveling on the road this holiday or simply making a run to the store, here are a few signs of drunk driving to look out for: