832.402.6637Free Consultation
Posted & Reviewed by Joshua Lee - Jun 03rd 2025
Navigating the Family Dollar and Dollar Tree Workers’ Compensation process in Texas can be confusing and frustrating, especially when dealing with employers who have opted out of the state’s official system. As non-subscribers, these companies are not required to follow the same legal standards, which often puts injured workers at a disadvantage. The lack of standard protections and oversight creates real challenges at a time when recovery should be the priority.
At Armstrong Lee & Baker, we take pride in standing beside injured workers, not behind big companies, when the system leaves them to figure things out alone.
We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
Sustaining an injury at work can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with non-subscriber employers like Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. Understanding your rights and the steps to take is essential for securing the compensation you deserve.
Family Dollar and Dollar Tree handle workplace injuries differently than employers enrolled in Texas’s workers’ compensation system. As non-subscribers, they use their benefit plans, crafted and controlled by the company, which often limit the rights and options available to injured workers. These plans don’t follow the same rules or oversight as the state system, meaning disputes over care and compensation are more common.
Claims are typically governed by general negligence law, not workers’ comp regulations. That opens the door for legal action, but it also puts the burden on the employee to prove the company’s role in the injury. The upside? Non-subscribers lose key legal defenses, so even if you made a mistake on the job, you might still have a strong case. This shift changes everything about how injury claims are handled—and why the right legal strategy matters.
Most employees assume their injury will be handled under Texas’s standard workers’ compensation system—but that’s not the case with non-subscriber employers like Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. Claims don’t follow the usual process when a company opts out of the state program. There’s no coverage through the state, no protection under the Texas Department of Insurance, and no automatic access to long-term medical care or wage benefits.
Instead, injured workers must often bring a negligence claim directly against the employer. This means showing that unsafe practices, inadequate training, or a failure to maintain equipment contributed to the injury. On the positive side, non-subscriber employers lose certain defenses, like blaming the worker for their injury, giving injured employees a stronger legal position. But these cases often require legal help, detailed evidence, and assertive follow-through.
Yes, both companies are self-insured in Texas. This means they manage and fund their injury benefit plans rather than purchasing insurance through the state system. While this allows them more control over claims, they are also directly responsible for compensating injured employees, and disputes may arise regarding the adequacy.
One primary concern is that self-insured employers may use internal claims teams or third-party administrators (TPAs), who may not act in the injured worker’s best interest. They can limit access to medical providers and reduce payout offers. Moreover, since the Texas Department of Insurance does not oversee these employers, injured workers may feel disadvantaged when disputes occur. This lack of state oversight adds another layer of complexity to non-subscriber injury cases.
Eligibility depends on your employment status and the employer’s injury benefit plan specifics. Generally, full-time and part-time employees are covered under these plans, but independent contractors may not be. Reviewing the plan’s terms and consulting with a legal professional to determine your eligibility and the benefits you may be entitled to is important.
Injuries at work should be reported immediately—waiting can jeopardize your health and your right to benefits. While Family Dollar and Dollar Tree are non-subscribers, many injury benefit plans include strict timelines for notifying a supervisor or HR department, sometimes within 24 to 72 hours. Failing to report within the required timeframe can lead to denied claims or limited benefits.
Some doctors affiliated with employer-sponsored plans may face pressure to minimize the extent of injuries to reduce the company’s liability. This conflict of interest can lead to underreporting or mischaracterization of injuries. Seeking a second opinion from an independent medical professional can help ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Quitting your job while receiving workers’ compensation benefits can complicate your claim. It may lead to questions about the severity of your injury or your need for continued benefits. Before making any employment changes, it’s advisable to consult with a legal professional to understand the potential implications for your claim.
Yes, employer-sponsored injury plans often cap the benefits provided. These limits can include maximum payouts for medical expenses and wage replacement. Many non-subscriber plans also limit the duration and amount of benefits, including caps on medical care and wage replacement.
These plans typically offer less protection than the benefits provided under the state-regulated system, which may include longer-term medical support. It’s important to understand these limitations and consider your legal options to recover the full value of your claim.
You will not receive your full salary if you cannot work due to an injury. Employer-sponsored plans often provide a percentage of your regular wages, which may not be sufficient to cover all your expenses. Exploring additional legal avenues may be necessary to recover the full amount of lost income.
Lifetime benefits are rare under employer-sponsored injury plans. Most plans have specific durations for benefits, and long-term compensation may require pursuing a personal injury lawsuit to secure ongoing support for permanent disabilities or chronic conditions resulting from your workplace injury.
When an employer chooses not to carry traditional workers’ comp coverage, families may have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit under Texas law. These claims aren’t just about financial compensation—they’re about accountability. Whether the loss involved unsafe conditions, poor training, or failing to act, you deserve answers. Legal action can provide stability during an uncertain time and help ensure other families don’t face the same loss.
Texas law prohibits employers from firing workers simply for reporting an injury, but that doesn’t always stop retaliation from happening. In non-subscriber claims, workers may especially feel vulnerable about speaking up. The lack of a formal claims system can blur the lines between asserting your rights and risking your job.
Family Dollar and Dollar Tree are not immune to legal consequences if they terminate someone in retaliation for reporting a legitimate injury. If you suspect retaliation, it’s critical to document every interaction and speak with a lawyer immediately to protect your rights under Texas labor law.
Yes, especially when you’re up against a company that doesn’t follow Texas’s traditional workers’ comp system. In non-subscriber cases like these, there’s no state agency overseeing the process, and no built-in protections for workers. What your employer tells you may sound final, but it rarely is. Having a lawyer isn’t just about filing paperwork—it’s about uncovering what happened, holding the company accountable, and ensuring your story isn’t buried under company policy. When the system is built to protect the business, we step in to protect you.
Texas’s Family Dollar and Dollar Tree Workers’ Compensation process often leaves injured workers with more questions than answers. At Armstrong Lee & Baker, we take the time to listen, explain your options, and fight for the outcome you deserve. Your recovery starts with a conversation. Contact us today.
Joshua Lee believes in aggressive, tough advocacy and a client-centered approach to every case. Joshua draws from a wide body of experiences and a robust understanding of the law. Joshua graduated from the New York University School of Law in New York City, which is considered among the best law schools in the world. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of lawyers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Our lawyers have more than 20 years of legal experience as personal injury attorneys.
Texas is one of the few states in the nation that does not require employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance to employees. However, if an employer subscrib...
Posted by Scott Armstrong
While every job presents its fair share of risks to employees, few occupations are as dangerous as warehouse jobs. Warehouse injuries are extremely common. Ac...
Posted by Scott Armstrong
What Is a Non-Subscriber Employer? A non-subscriber employer is a business that decides not to carry traditional workers' compensation insurance. Instead, they create ...
Posted by Scott Armstrong
We are available 24/7 to speak with you
Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys in Houston
Find out if you have a case or ask us a question
by filling out the form below or call us at 832-402-6637
Call
Message
Chat
Schedule