Texas Ombudsman Notice Mandatory

NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES CONCERNING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE 	 	
IN THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SYSTEM FROM THE 	 	
OFFICE OF INJURED EMPLOYEE COUNSEL 	
Have you been injured on the job?	 As an injured employee in Texas, you have the right to free assistance 	 	
from the 	Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC)	. OIEC is the state agency that assists unrepresented 	 	
injured employees with their claim in the workers’ compensation system. 	
You can contact OIEC by calling its toll-free telephone number: 	1-866-393-6432	. 	
More information about OIEC and its Ombudsman Program is available at the agency’s website (	www.oiec.texas.gov	).	
OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM 	
What Is An Ombudsman?	 An Ombudsman is an employee of OIEC who can assist you if you have a dispute 	 	
with your employer’s insurance carrier. An Ombudsman’s assistance is free of charge. Each Ombudsman 	 	
has completed a comprehensive training program designed specifically to assist you with your dispute. 	
An Ombudsman can help you identify and develop the disputed issues in your case and attempt to resolve them. 	 	
If the issues cannot be resolved, the Ombudsman can help you request a dispute resolution proceeding at the 	 	
Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation.	
Once a proceeding is scheduled an Ombudsman can: 	
•• Help you prepare for the proceeding (Benefit Review Conference and/or Contested Case Hearing); 	
•• Attend the proceeding with you and communicate on your behalf; and 	
•• Assist you with an appeal or a response to an insurance carrier’s appeal, if necessary.	
Figure 28 TAC §276.5(c) – September 2022