Walmart Workers’ Comp Claims in Texas

As you very likely know, working at Walmart in Texas is no easy matter. It can mean long shifts, or lifting heavy items, stocking shelves, or moving quickly in a crowded warehouse or all the above. 

So yes, with that kind of pace and pressure, injuries at Walmart are common. 

What makes Walmart different however is how it handles those injuries and the subsequent workers’ comp claims. Walmart is what is known as a “non-subscriber” in Texas, meaning it does not participate (“subscribe”) in the state’s traditional workers’ compensation system. Instead, it is self-insured and uses its own company, Claims Management, Inc. (CMI), to manage workers’ comp claims in Texas. For employees, this usually is bad news as it means fewer protections, stricter claim reviews, and in many cases, denied or underpaid benefits. 

The good news is that at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we understand these challenges all too well. We have dealt with CMI many times and won millions in awards from them for our clients. So, whether you need to file a claim, appeal a denial, or pursue a lawsuit because Walmart’s negligence caused your injury, our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. 

What Are Non-Subscribers?

In Texas, not every employer has to have typical workers’ compensation insurance. Employers that choose not to carry workers’ compensation are “non-subscribers.”  There are a number of non-subscribers employers in Texas, including Walmart.

A non-subscriber typically does not provide as much compensation for work injuries as a subscriber, but they also give up several protections available to subscribers.  Non-subscribers with over five employees in Texas must report illnesses or injuries.  The injury must have cost you at least one day of work. Otherwise, the employer does not have to report it.

What Happens If You Get Injured While Working at Walmart in Texas?

Based on what we see clients do wrong too often when they get injured working at Walmart, here are the key steps we suggest you immediately take: 

1. Get the medical care you need
   If you get injured while working at Walmart, your health must come first. Go to the ER, urgent care, or see a doctor right away. Tell the provider that your injury happened at work so it goes into your medical record. Even a seemingly minor injury can worsen later, and without documentation, Walmart may argue it was not work-related. Be sure to then follow your doctor’s instructions, keep all records, and get to every appointment.
2. Report the injury
   Notify your supervisor or manager as soon as possible. Walmart will not process your claim without documentation, and Texas law requires timely reporting.
3. File your claim
   We’ve seen too many workers wait too long and get told they were filing their claim ‘too late.’ Don’t make that mistake. Instead, immediately report your injury to your supervisor. You will then receive forms from Walmart or its administrator. Complete them quickly, turn them in, and keep copies for your records (very important!) Finally, follow up to make sure your claim is being processed.

Important: Before signing any paperwork or giving a recorded statement to Walmart’s adjuster, call Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP at 832-402-6637 for guidance. 

Does Walmart have a workers’ comp policy in Texas? 

Yes, Walmart does have a workers’ comp policy in Texas, but not in the way you might think. As mentioned, Walmart is a non-subscriber. Given that, it does not carry traditional state-approved workers’ comp insurance, and the law does not require it to. Instead, Walmart is self-insured and uses a company it wholly owns, Claims Management, Inc. (CMI), to handle claims. 

For injured workers, dealing with CMI has major consequences: 

• Benefits under Walmart’s private plan are often more limited than traditional workers’ comp 

• CMI’s adjusters work for Walmart, not for you, and their job is to protect their boss, not you 

• On the brighter side, if Walmart’s negligence caused your injury, you may have the right to file a lawsuit for damages like pain and suffering; something you cannot do when dealing with a subscriber employer 

Typical injuries at Walmart 

Walmart employees can face a wide range of injury risks, and we’ve seen them all. Common injuries when working at Walmart include: 

• Back and shoulder strains from, say, lifting boxes or stocking shelves 

• Slip, trip, and fall injuries from spills, cluttered aisles, or over-crowded stockrooms 

• Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel from constant scanning or cashiering 

• Fractures and broken bones from falls or falling merchandise 

• Forklift, cart accidents, or other heavy machinery-induced injuries occurring at, for instance, warehouses and loading docks 

• Eye and hearing injuries from equipment or repeated noise exposure 

• Occupational illnesses from long-term strain or chemical exposure 

Major Walmart and Sam’s Club Distribution Centers in Texas

• Walmart Distribution Center – 4554 Oscar Nelson Jr. Dr., Baytown, TX 77523 (Harris County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 3470 Windmill Rd., Cleburne, TX 76033 (Johnson County) 

• Sam’s Club Distribution Center – 451 FM 686, Dayton, TX 77535 (Liberty County) 

• Walmart Fulfillment Center – 830 E Centre Park Blvd, DeSoto, TX 75115 (Dallas County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 5300 Westport Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177 (Tarrant County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 15101 N Beach St, Fort Worth, TX 76177 (Tarrant County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – Blue Mound Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76177 (Tarrant County) 

• Sam’s Club Distribution Center – 16101 Three Wide Dr., Justin, TX 76247 (Denton County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 2300 E Belt Line Rd., Lancaster, TX 75146 (Dallas County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – Mont Belvieu, TX 77523 (Chambers County) 

• Sam’s Club Distribution Center – 4002 I-35, New Braunfels, TX 78130 (Comal County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 20131 Gene Campbell Rd., New Caney, TX 77357 (Montgomery County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 201 Old Elkhart Rd., Palestine, TX 75801 (Anderson County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 3100 I-27, Plainview, TX 79072 (Hale County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 2120 Stemmons Fwy., Sanger, TX 76266 (Denton County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 2226 FM 3538, Sealy, TX 77474 (Austin County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 3162 FM 3538, Sealy, TX 77474 (Austin County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 9605 NW H K Dodgen Loop, Temple, TX 76504 (Bell County) 

• Walmart Distribution Center – 591 Apache Trail, Terrell, TX 75160 (Kaufman County) 

Call us today if you need to file a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit for an injury arising from your employment at any of these locations.

Texas Non-Subscriber Companies

• Costco
• Dollar General
• Ross
• Target
• Tom thumb

Frequently asked questions about Walmart workers’ comp in Texas 

What benefits can injured Walmart workers expect?
Walmart’s non-subscriber plan may provide some medical treatment and partial wage replacement, but it is often more limited than traditional workers’ comp. That said, in reality, it’s almost always less than what injured workers actually need. 

What if my Walmart claim is denied?
Denials are common. You may appeal, or if negligence was involved, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit for broader damages. 

Can Walmart fire me for filing a claim?
No. Retaliation for filing a claim or reporting an injury is illegal. 

How long do I have to file a Walmart workers’ comp claim in Texas?
Claims should be reported right away and generally filed within six months. A lawsuit for negligence usually must be filed within two years. 

Who handles Walmart workers’ comp claims in Texas?
Claims are managed by Claims Management, Inc. (CMI), Walmart’s own in-house company. Their adjusters work to protect Walmart, not you. 

Why hire Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP for your Walmart workers’ comp claim? 

Taking on Walmart means going up against one of the largest companies in the world, its highly-specialized, in-house team at CMI, as well as Walmart’s fleet of top-tier lawyers. That’s why you need an equally impressive – and skilled – legal team fighting for you. Our trial-tested attorneys know how to counter their tactics and fight for injured workers like you. 

We will: 

• Investigate your accident and gather evidence 
• Work with medical experts to prove the full extent of your injuries 
• Negotiate with Walmart’s adjusters for fair compensation 
• Take your case to trial if needed 

Do not face Walmart alone.  

 If you were hurt while working at Walmart in Texas, Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP can help. Call  832-402-6637 or send us a message online for a free consultation and case evaluation. 

C.J. Baker

C.J. Baker represents victims with serious injuries and he won’t let any corporation or insurance company stop his clients from getting complete justice. He has won millions of dollars for victims of 18-wheeler crashes, oilfield equipment failures, offshore platform explosions, and defective medical devices. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.

Get in touch with C.J. Baker now.