Schuelke Law Prepares for New OSHA Injury Reporting Requirements in 2024

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced updates to its injury reporting rules. Beginning in 2024, companies in certain high-risk industries will be required to file injury reports electronically. 

Companies affected by this change are those with 100 or more employees in certain named “high-hazard” industries, such as construction. These companies must electronically submit their annual information about workers’ illnesses and injuries no later than March 2nd each year.

Information that companies must submit to OSHA includes:

• The date and physical location where the injury occurred,
• The severity of the injury or illness,
• Certain required demographic details about the injured worker and
• The cause of the injury or illness. 

Workplaces must submit reports of any injury or illness OSHA defines as “recordable.” Recordable injuries and illnesses include worker deaths and many types of severe injuries. Fatalities and certain severe injuries must be reported within 24 hours. 

“The updated OSHA rules will provide more complete information about on-the-job injuries and illnesses,” says Austin injury lawyer Brooks Schuelke. “This information allows workplaces to understand the risks to their workers and take steps to improve workplace safety.” 

For injured workers, getting compensation can be tough. On-the-job injuries are often affected by Texas workers’ compensation laws, in addition to rules on personal injury. 

Workers’ compensation law provides certain benefits for employees who are injured on the job – no matter who was at fault for the injury. To receive workers’ compensation, however, a worker must be classified as an employee, not an independent contractor. Proving this distinction can be challenging. 

In addition, some injured employees have a claim against a negligent third party. A delivery driver involved in a vehicle crash, for instance, might have a claim against the driver that hit them. These claims typically exist outside workers’ compensation, but the damages awarded may be affected by workers’ compensation benefits. 

“After a workplace injury, we encourage Texas workers to speak to an experienced local attorney,” says Schuelke. “Whether you want to file a claim or just need more information, we’re here to help.”