Texas Workers' Compensation Commission

When the Texas Legislature first began establishing the foundational laws for workers' compensation in 1913, their goal was to provide fair compensation for employees hurt on the job. This process formed the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission (TWCC), and it oversaw and implemented this system. However, this all changed on September 1, 2005, when the state abolished it. All of its responsibilities were transferred to a new department within the Texas Department of Insurance. 

Today, the Texas Division of Workers' Compensation (TDWC) manages all aspects of the workers' compensation system in Texas, including:

• Injured workers
• Healthcare providers
• Employers that opted to carry workman's comp insurance
• Insurers

While the TDWC doesn't actually issue benefit payments on work-related illness and/or injury claims (the insurers do), it serves as an avenue of resolution when claims become disputed between employees and insurers. It also acts as a guide for workplace safety issues and related healthcare services.  

Where to File a Workers Compensation Claim in Texas

As mentioned earlier, the TWCC no longer handles work injury/illness claims. Because most employers in the state carry workmans' comp coverage, you will first have to notify your employer about your sustained injuries at work. Keep in mind that you only have 30 days from when you got hurt or discovered you contracted a work-related illness, or you will likely lose your opportunity for benefits. 

After this first step, you would then file a Claim for Compensation with the TDWC. This filing also has a 1-year deadline that starts the moment you got hurt or found out your illness was related to your job. Just like with notifying your employer, you will likely lose your right to receive compensation if you fail to file in this time frame. 

These initial steps are extremely important to get it right the first time to avoid delays caused by mistakes on submitted forms and information. This makes working with a skilled workers' compensation attorney vital to your case's success. In addition, it's almost certain that the insurance company responsible for your claim will have a team of lawyers working to minimize or justify denial of your injury claim, which makes having a highly-trained lawyer on your team a must. 

Not only will they be able to maximize the benefits or settlement you receive, but they can allow you to focus on healing while they gather evidence to prove your case. 

Does the TDWC Provide Different Benefits Than the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission Did? 

Generally, no. One could argue that the DWC provides more comprehensive services than the TWCC previously had. If you or a loved one are injured or become ill due to your job, there are several benefits that this division ensures you receive, including:

• Necessary medical care 
• Lost wage benefits
• Burial costs
• Death benefits for surviving family members

In some situations, coverage for pre-existing conditions is possible if you can prove that your job duties caused significant aggravation to it. Typically, the TDWC doesn't recognize increased pain to these types of conditions as eligible. But, every workmans' compensation claim is unique, with varying circumstances that can impact your ability to return to work. Consult with a qualified attorney to find out if you qualify.

Types of Benefits the TDWC Provides Injured Workers

In Texas, four primary income benefit types are available to employees who sustain a work injury or suffer from an occupational illness. These include:

• Temporary
• Impairment
• Supplemental
• Lifetime

Depending on which you qualify to receive, state law has a maximum benefit amount you can receive annually, as well as minimum benefit thresholds for some of these categories. Below is a brief overview of each: 

Temporary Income

These benefits are paid when you have been unable to work for more than seven days, whether partially or fully disabled. The DWC will determine the difference between your pre-injury wages and current weekly income to calculate the amount you would receive. The temporary income amount you receive will be 70% of that calculation. However, it's possible you could receive an amount that exceeds this guideline, but the maximum amount of time you can receive this benefit is 104 weeks regardless.

Impairment Income

When you have reached your maximum medical improvement (MMI) and are suffering from a permanent impairment, you may qualify to receive impairment income. This typically replaces temporary income and is determined by your doctor's impairment rating of your injuries once achieving your MMI. The amount you receive will be based on this rating percentage you are given. For every percentage point received, three weeks of this benefit will be paid to you at 70% of your average weekly wages. So, if your rating is 50%, you would receive this income from the workers' compensation insurer for 150 weeks. 

Supplemental Income

Much like the other income benefits provided by the insurer according to DWC regulations, supplemental income can be complex. In addition to caps on how much and how long you can receive this benefit, it's designed only for those who:

• Are rated at 15% impaired or more, and,
• Haven't gone back to work or are now earning 80% or less of their previous weekly wage average, and
• Are trying to find work, and,
• Didn't accept a lump sum payment of an impairment income benefit. 

The calculation used to determine how much your benefit should be is equally complex. To decide on your supplemental income payment amount, the TDWC figures out the difference between your average weekly wages and those you're currently earning. They then reduce this number to 80% and compensate you 80% of that amount. 

Lifetime Income Benefits

Should you or a loved one suffer catastrophic injuries on the job, lifetime income benefits may be necessary at the end of the entire process. Typically, this income gets paid to workers who suffer severe, life-changing injuries that make working all but impossible. The level of harm one must suffer to qualify typically could include any of the following:

• Blindness in both eyes
• Amputation of both feet or hands
• Loss of a hand and afoot
• Paralyzation of at least two limbs
• Permanent brain damage that severely impairs basic function
• Severe burns over 40% of the body 
• Third-degree burns on your face and hands

Payments are usually based on 75% of your average weekly income, and you can expect these benefits to increase every year by 3%.

Find this confusing? The workers' comp attorneys of Morgan & Morgan are well-versed in the complicated formulas used by the TDWC to determine these benefit amounts. Contact our firm to set up a consultation to learn more about this process and how we can assist in maximizing your income benefits. 
Personal Injury Lawsuits and Texas Workers' Compensation Claims
Normally, when an employee receives workers' compensation benefits, they can't sue their employer civilly for pain, suffering, or negligence. There are exceptions to this rule, though, and a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can let you know if you meet one of these required criteria to bring a suit:

• Your employer didn't carry a workers' comp insurance policy, or,
• An outside party (third-party) caused your injuries (defective equipment, car accident, premises liability, etc.)

Keep in mind that fellow employees don't usually fall into the category of a third party.