TDI says you must report an 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. To protect your rights, send DWC Form-041 to DWC within one year from the date you were hurt or from the date you knew or should have known the injury or disease may be work-related. TDI says private employers can choose to carry workers' compensation in most cases. OSHA also gives you the right to report an injury and get copies of your medical records.
Checked against official OSHA, NIOSH, CDC and Texas pages on October 16, 2026. This page explains rules and where to get help. It is not legal or medical advice, and it does not replace your employer's safety training.
The Texas rules
- Coverage. TDI says private employers can choose to carry workers' compensation insurance in most cases. All Texas governmental entities must have coverage, and private employers on building or construction contracts with governmental entities must cover employees working on the public project.
- You must be told. Sec. 406.005: the employer must notify a new employee of the existence or absence of coverage at the time of hiring.
- 30 days to report. TDI says to report the 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.
- 1 year to claim. TDI's DWC Form-041 says the claim must be filed within one year of the date of injury or within one year from the date you knew or should have known the injury or disease may be work-related.
Your federal rights
- OSHA lists the right to report an injury or illness, get copies of your medical records, and review records of work injuries.
- You can file a safety complaint with OSHA online, by phone at 800-321-6742, by fax, mail or email, or in person. Texas has nine OSHA area offices.
- It is illegal to punish a worker for a safety complaint to OSHA. A whistleblower complaint under Section 11(c) is due within 30 days of the retaliation.
If you are seriously injured, seek medical care immediately. Report the injury as soon as possible, and do not assume treatment extends a reporting or claim deadline. Confirm your dates with TDI Division of Workers' Compensation.
Free tool: your injury deadlines
Enter the date of a specific injury. This tool counts the general 30-day and one-year dates from that injury date. TDI says injury or illness timing can instead run from when you knew it was job-related, and exceptions can apply. Confirm your deadline with DWC. Nothing is saved.
Your full Texas safety rights, free
One free page with your training, PPE, heat and reporting rights, the nine Texas area offices listed by OSHA and a deadline tool.
Texas Electrical Apprentice Safety Rights
Workers' comp, OSHA complaints and a deadline tool for injuries and retaliation.
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Sources
- TDI: Workers' compensation insurance coverage verification
- TDI: Injured employee FAQ
- TDI: DWC Form-041
- Texas Labor Code Chapter 406 (coverage)
- Texas Labor Code Chapter 409 (notice and claims)
- OSHA: Workers rights
- OSHA: File a safety and health complaint
- OSHA area offices in Texas
- Whistleblowers.gov: How to file a complaint
