What to Do If Your Employer Doesn’t Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Big Spring

Workers’ compensation is a legal system that provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement to employees who are injured on the job. In Texas, however, employers may opt out of workers’ compensation insurance, a policy often referred to as “non-subscriber” status. While this can save companies money, it creates significant risks for workers who sustain on-the-job injuries. At Anderson Alexander (A2X), we serve as partners to injured employees in these situations, helping ensure that you can pursue compensation and recover from your injuries, even when your employer has chosen not to participate in the workers’ compensation system. 

Being employed by a non-subscriber comes with unique challenges. Without workers’ compensation insurance, injured workers are not automatically guaranteed medical benefits or wage replacement. Many employers choose this route to reduce costs, but we often see them rely on employees' unawareness of their legal rights. This leaves workers vulnerable, uncertain about how to cover medical expenses, lost income, or rehabilitation costs. The good news is that even if your employer is a non-subscriber, you still have legal rights in Big Spring, and A2X is here to help you understand and assert them. We work tirelessly to protect injured workers and make sure negligent employers are held accountable for unsafe working conditions. 

Common Risks for Workers at Non-Subscriber Employers

Non-subscriber workplaces often lack the safeguards that workers’ compensation laws encourage, such as structured safety programs, mandatory reporting, and immediate medical coverage. In addition, insurance coverage at these employers can be unpredictable. Some non-subscriber employers carry general liability insurance, which may cover certain damages. In contrast, others carry no insurance at all, leaving injured workers to cover medical expenses and lost wages on their own. Even when liability insurance exists, insurance companies may try to minimize payouts, dispute claims, or delay processing, forcing workers into prolonged uncertainty. Employees at these workplaces may face delays in treatment, difficulty accessing rehabilitation, and significant financial stress. Employers may also discourage reporting accidents, pressure workers not to involve legal counsel, or attempt to shift blame to the employee, leaving injured workers in a vulnerable position. You may hear things such as "it's just a part of the job". At A2X, we are here to tell you that it is not the case. We see firsthand how these situations leave employees without guidance, and we are here to step in. By understanding your rights, navigating insurance complications, documenting your injuries, and pursuing the appropriate legal channels, we help ensure you are not left to shoulder the burden alone and that you can receive the compensation you deserve. 

Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim Against a Non-Subscriber Employer

When your employer in Big Spring has opted out of workers’ compensation, one of the most effective avenues for recovery is a personal injury claim. Unlike workers’ compensation, a personal injury claim allows you to pursue full compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, future income loss, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In some cases, Texas law may impose higher liability on employers who choose not to carry workers’ compensation insurance, notably if their negligence or unsafe practices contributed to your accident. This can work in your favor when pursuing a claim, as it reflects the legal system’s recognition that non-subscriber employers bear additional responsibility to maintain a safe workplace. 

A2X helps you navigate the complexities of filing a personal injury claim against a non-subscriber employer. We investigate every aspect of your accident, gathering incident reports, witness statements, equipment records, safety logs, and expert evaluations. Our team ensures that the full scope of your economic and non-economic damages is documented, calculated, and presented to maximize your potential recovery. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for Workplace Accidents in Big Spring 

When an employee is injured while working for a non-subscriber employer in Big Spring, liability can extend beyond the employer itself. Third parties, including contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners, can also be held responsible if their negligence contributed to the accident. For example, a malfunctioning crane, poorly maintained scaffolding, or unsafe chemicals supplied by a third-party supplier could all create legal liability outside the employer. Determining who is liable requires careful investigation, including reviewing contracts, safety protocols, maintenance logs, and accident reports, which is precisely what the team at A2X does for every case. 

Big Spring is home to a variety of high-risk industries where workplace injuries are more common. Oilfield operations, industrial manufacturing, construction, and energy-related projects dominate the local economy, and with these sectors come hazards such as heavy machinery, high-pressure equipment, confined spaces, chemical exposure, and elevated work sites. Even seemingly routine tasks such as transporting materials, handling tools, or working on active construction sites can lead to serious injuries if safety protocols are ignored. At A2X, we see firsthand how these industries can leave workers vulnerable when employers cut corners, fail to provide proper training, or do not maintain equipment to industry standards. 

Understanding who can be held liable is critical because it broadens the avenues for compensation. In addition to pursuing the employer, injured workers may have claims against contractors or manufacturers responsible for defective equipment. By thoroughly investigating every potential responsible party, A2X ensures that no aspect of your case is overlooked and that you have the best chance of receiving the full recovery you deserve. 

This approach is critical in Big Spring, where multiple companies often share responsibility for a single project. Whether it’s a subcontractor failing to follow safety protocols, a manufacturer producing defective equipment, or an employer neglecting OSHA standards, A2X is skilled at identifying all parties who may be liable and pursuing claims against each to maximize your compensation. 

Types of Compensation Available 

When pursuing a claim against a non-subscriber employer, injured workers may be entitled to a range of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, hospital costs, therapy expenses, lost wages, and future income losses if the injury impacts your ability to return to work. Non-economic damages account for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In situations where employer negligence was particularly egregious, such as knowingly violating safety regulations or failing to maintain equipment, punitive damages may also be pursued to hold the employer accountable and deter similar behavior in the future. Our goal is to ultimately make workplaces in Big Spring safer. 

By carefully calculating both immediate and long-term impacts of your injury, A2X ensures that your claim reflects the full scope of your financial and personal losses. We advocate aggressively to protect your rights, maximize compensation, and provide the resources you need to focus on recovery rather than legal uncertainty. 

Take Action and Protect Your Rights 

If you have been injured while working for an employer without workers’ compensation insurance in Big Spring, it is critical to act quickly. Request a consultation with A2X, so our team can review your case, explain your legal options, and develop a strategy to pursue full compensation. Time is essential, as statutes of limitations apply and can vary depending on the specifics of your claim. 

At A2X, we stand by accident victims. We believe that employers who fail to provide a safe working environment or choose to avoid their responsibilities should be held accountable. Our goal is to ensure you understand your rights, explore every legal avenue available to you, and receive the compensation you need to recover, rebuild, and move forward. You are not alone; our team will guide you every step of the way, advocating for your justice and helping to create safer workplaces across Big Spring and the Permian Basin.