Why Post Injury Waivers Matter
Do individuals actually consider whether or not an employer subscribes to Texas Worker’s Compensation when choosing a job offer? This article, originally published in the Dallas Morning News, provides a review on the current state of how some Texas employers limit their risk against employee injuries alternative to the traditional Texas Worker’s Compensation Program. Based on this article and a simple internet search for employers wanting help drafting post injury waivers, avoiding risk from employee injuries is big business. The article also suggests that perhaps the prospective employee considers a potential employer’s safety or benefits for bodily or personal injury when choosing a job offer.
Is it important to consider how a company deals with personal injuries? Would it matter more or less if you had a sixteen-year-old son or daughter looking for a job? If two employers offer the same wage or salary, why not consider the potential safety of each company? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides a database to search companies. The Texas Department of Insurance has a database to verify whether a company has Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance. You may also send a public information request on a specific employee to assess their personal injury patterns or workplace safety at WCOpenRecords@tdi.texas.gov. Generally, responses to open record requests are provided within ten days.
Employers do their homework and preparation to assess and limit their liability risk against injuries. Consumers do their homework for safety when choosing a location to rent or buy a home. Consumers will also research safety when choosing a car, selecting a school, shopping at stores, going to a restaurant or movie theatre. Why not do the research when making a choice on who to work for where you invariably will likely spend more time than any other place.
If you are unsure or have questions, seek legal counsel if you are injured and someone asks you to sign a post injury waiver. The person or company requesting the waiver already has. You can speak to an attorney at Reynolds & Reynolds at 214-891-6606.
