What Is a Non-Subscriber Employer in Victoria, Texas? 

Texas is unique in the United States because it is the only state that allows most private employers to “opt out” of the workers’ compensation system. These employers are known as non-subscriber employers. While choosing not to subscribe may save a company money, it also exposes both the employer and employees to serious risks when workplace injuries occur. At A2X Law, we help workers in Victoria, TX, understand their rights when they are injured on the job, especially when their employer is a non-subscriber. 


Definition: Non-Subscriber Employer 

A non-subscriber employer is a Texas business that does not participate in the state’s traditional workers’ compensation insurance program. Instead of paying premiums into the system, these employers may: 

  • Provide their own private workplace injury insurance plans, or 
  • Offer limited (or no) coverage at all for injured employees. 


Unlike typical workers' compensation, where you get some guaranteed benefits regardless of fault, non-subscriber employers lose protections from liability when a worker is hurt. 


Why Some Texas Companies Choose to Opt Out 

Employers in Victoria, and throughout Texas, become non-subscribers for many reasons: 

  • Cost savings: Workers’ comp premiums can be expensive, especially for high-risk industries like construction, oilfield, or manufacturing. 
  • Control over benefits: By opting out, employers may design their benefit plans rather than following state guidelines. 
  • Less oversight: Non-subscribers are not bound by all of the Texas Department of Insurance rules for workers’ comp coverage. 


In many cases, this can save the employer money; however, there are some substantial costs to employees. 


Risks to Employees 

If you are employed by a non-subscriber employer and are injured in the course and scope of your employment in Victoria, TX, you are potentially facing some of the following risks: 

  • No guaranteed benefits: Unlike workers’ comp, your employer is not automatically required to pay medical expenses or lost wages. 
  • Limited coverage: Some non-subscriber plans cap benefits or restrict the doctors you can see. 
  • Employer defenses are weakened, but lawsuits are possible: Because non-subscribers lose certain legal defenses, injured workers may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit for negligence and recover damages beyond what workers’ comp would allow. 


Common Industries with Non-Subscriber Employers 

In Victoria and South Texas, non-subscriber employers are often found in: 

  • Oil & Gas companies 
  • Construction contractors 
  • Industrial manufacturers 
  • Retail and warehouses 
  • Healthcare-type facilities 


These industries are already high-risk, meaning workers face greater dangers when employers cut corners on injury coverage. 


Legal Options for Injured Workers in Victoria, TX 

If your employer is a non-subscriber and you’ve been injured on the job, you may have the right to: 

  • File a personal injury lawsuit against your employer for negligence. 
  • Recover full compensation, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages in cases of gross negligence. 


Because these claims require proving fault, it’s critical to work with an experienced workplace injury lawyer who understands Texas non-subscriber law. 


Speak With a A2X Non-Subscriber Workplace Injury Lawyer 

Working for a non-subscriber employer can leave you vulnerable, but you don’t have to face the situation alone. At A2X Law, we fight for injured workers in Victoria and throughout South Texas to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a consultation about your workplace injury claim.