Workers’ Compensation in Texas: 2025 Guide for Employees & Employers
Workers’ compensation in Texas is a system designed to provide medical and income benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. However, Texas is unique — it's the only U.S. state where workers' compensation coverage is optional for private employers.
⚖️ Is Workers’ Compensation Required in Texas?
Unlike most other states, Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ comp insurance. Employers who opt out are known as non-subscribers and may face lawsuits for workplace injuries.
Key Terms:
-
Subscribers = Employers who carry workers’ comp insurance
-
Non-subscribers = Employers who choose not to carry coverage
📌 According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), approximately one-third of private employers in Texas are non-subscribers.
Related keywords:
Texas workers’ comp laws, is workers’ compensation mandatory in Texas, Texas non-subscriber employers
✅ What Does Texas Workers’ Compensation Cover?
If an employer has workers’ comp coverage, it typically includes:
1. 🏥 Medical Benefits
-
Doctor visits
-
Surgery
-
Hospitalization
-
Prescription medication
-
Physical therapy
-
Medical equipment
2. 💵 Income Benefits
-
Temporary Income Benefits (TIBs): While recovering and unable to work
-
Impairment Income Benefits (IIBs): For permanent physical damage
-
Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBs): For long-term disability
-
Lifetime Income Benefits (LIBs): For catastrophic injuries
3. ⚰️ Death and Burial Benefits
-
Covers funeral expenses
-
Provides income to surviving dependents
Related keywords:
Texas workers’ comp benefits, medical benefits for injured employees in Texas, TIBs Texas, IIBs Texas, workers comp death benefits Texas
🧾 How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Texas
If you’re injured at work and your employer is a subscriber, follow these steps:
-
Report the injury to your employer within 30 days
-
Get medical treatment from a doctor in the certified health care network
-
File DWC Form-041 with the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation
-
Cooperate with insurance adjusters and follow up
Claim Form:
[DWC Form-041 – Employee’s Claim for Compensation for a Work-Related Injury or Occupational Disease (PDF)]
👉 Available at: https://www.tdi.texas.gov
Related keywords:
file workers comp claim Texas, Texas DWC Form-041, Texas injured worker form, workers comp claim process in Texas
❗ What If My Employer Is a Non-Subscriber?
If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may still be able to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, especially if the employer’s negligence caused your injury.
Your Legal Rights May Include:
-
Suing for pain and suffering (not allowed in standard workers’ comp)
-
Recovering full lost wages
-
Holding the employer accountable for unsafe work conditions
Related keywords:
Texas non-subscriber lawsuit, no workers comp Texas employer, suing employer for work injury in Texas, Texas work injury lawyer
📝 Workers’ Compensation Rates in Texas (2025)
Workers’ compensation insurance rates in Texas depend on:
-
Industry classification
-
Company’s safety record
-
Payroll size
-
Claims history
📉 Texas has some of the lowest workers’ comp premium rates in the U.S., but employers still must balance cost with legal risk.
Related keywords:
Texas workers’ comp insurance cost, workers comp class codes Texas, employer rates Texas workers’ comp
📌 Important Texas Workers’ Compensation Agencies
-
Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
https://www.tdi.texas.gov -
Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc -
Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC)
Free assistance for injured workers
https://www.oiec.texas.gov
🔑 Texas Workers’ Compensation Keywords List
-
workers' compensation Texas
-
Texas workers' comp benefits
-
file workers comp claim in Texas
-
Texas DWC Form-041
-
non-subscriber workers’ comp Texas
-
workers comp insurance Texas
-
job injury in Texas
-
Texas work accident claim
-
how to report work injury in Texas
-
Texas workers' compensation laws 2025
Would you like an infographic, Texas claim form download, or state-by-state comparison with Texas workers' comp? I can help create that for you!
