Key Takeaways: OSHA’s Heat National Emphasis Program targets both outdoor and indoor heat hazards on Houston construction sites, increasing inspections and employer accountability. Texas leads the nation in work-related heat deaths, with 42 fatalities between 2011 and 2021. Houston construction workers who suffer heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or rhabdomyolysis may have legal options under both…
Understanding Who Counts as Your "Employer" After a Texas Oil Field Accident Key Takeaways: The borrowed servant doctrine in Texas determines which company legally counts as your employer by examining who controlled your work, not who signs your paycheck. This matters because oil field crews are routinely shared among operators, drilling contractors, and vendors, and…
Road signs exist to keep drivers and other road users safe. A missing stop sign, faded yield sign, or damaged speed limit sign can turn an ordinary route into a serious hazard. If you or someone close to you gets hurt because of a missing or damaged road sign, you may have grounds for a…
If you’ve recently been hurt in an accident because of a road defect in Houston, we don’t need to tell you that the roads here are often in bad shape. Heavy traffic and sweltering weather take a big toll on the roads here, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) doesn’t always stay on top…
Government entities have a legal duty to keep Texas roads safe. If you get hurt in a car accident due to a road defect, like a pothole or missing warning sign, you may have the right to file a claim against the government agency responsible for maintaining the road. However, Texas tort claims involving road…
Understanding Your Path to Justice After a Houston Impaired Driving Crash Key Takeaways: Houston DWI crash victims hold powerful legal rights under Texas law, including an independent civil claim that exists separately from criminal prosecution and doesn’t depend on conviction. Because the civil burden of proof is lower, you can pursue compensation even if the…
When a Roadside Safety Device Becomes a Deadly Hazard Key Takeaways: Guardrail accidents on Houston freeways become catastrophic when defective end terminals spear the cabin, barriers flip vehicles, or redirect cars into traffic due to flawed design, improper installation, or neglected maintenance. These failures cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and wrongful death,…
Understanding Your Legal Options After a Catastrophic Refinery Explosion in Houston Key Takeaways: Yes, a truck driver injured in a Houston refinery blast can file a third-party claim while receiving workers’ compensation benefits, because Texas law’s exclusive remedy bar applies only to the employer, not to negligent outside parties. Under Texas Labor Code § 417.001(a),…
Hotels across Texas provide shelter, privacy, and anonymity, all of which are qualities that, unfortunately, make them attractive venues for human trafficking. Survivors of hotel sex trafficking and forced labor deserve accountability, not just from the individuals who exploited them, but also from the properties that made it possible. If hotel staff or ownership knew…
Property owners, employers, and businesses in Texas have a responsibility to keep the people on their premises safe. When they fail to provide reasonable security, and inadequate security creates conditions that allow a sexual assault to occur, they can face civil liability for sexual assault. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil…
