Questions & answers · Workers’ comp
I got hurt at work in Texas. Who pays, and how do I file a workers' comp claim?
Workers’ compHow to fileTexasChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: TDI-DWC View original ↗
In short
- In Texas, tell your boss about the injury within 30 days.
- File DWC Form-041 within one year.
- If you don't get the forms, call DWC at 800-252-7031, option 1.
What this means
In Texas, workers' compensation is an insurance program managed by the state. It provides pay and medical benefits for a work-related injury or illness. Not all Texas employers carry it, but most do, and your employer must have it for you to get benefits [1].
The Texas Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) does not pay benefits itself. The employer's insurance carrier pays [1].
What to do, per DWC: • Report the injury or illness to your employer. DWC then sends you a packet that includes DWC Form-041 (Employee's Claim for Compensation) and a notice of your rights and responsibilities [1]. • You must report to your employer within 30 days from the date you were hurt, or from the date you knew the injury or illness was related to your job. If you don't, you may not get benefits [2]. • Send the completed DWC Form-041 to DWC within one year [2].
Your next step
Tell your employer about the injury now. You have 30 days [2]. Send DWC Form-041 to DWC within one year [2]. If you don't get the packet, call DWC at 800-252-7031, option 1 [1].
Check it yourself
Open the TDI-DWC FAQ for injured workers and read question 1. Then read the DWC page for injured workers to see what is in the packet.
Where this comes from (2)
[1] TDI-DWC · checked 2026-11-06
Workers' compensation is an insurance program managed by the State of Texas. It provides pay and medical benefits to employees who have a work-related injury or illness. Not all Texas employers provide workers' compensation insurance, but most do. Your employer must have workers' compensation insurance for you to get benefits. … DWC does not pay benefits on workers' compensation claims. Insurance carriers pay workers…
[2] TDI-DWC · checked 2026-11-06
You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days from the date you were hurt or from the date you knew your injury or illness was related to your job. If you do not let your employer know about your injury within 30 days, you may not get benefits. … DWC: completed DWC Form-041 , within one year;
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
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Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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