Are you ready to reclaim control of your life after a work-related construction accident? Let the construction accident attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs put their decades of combined legal experience to work for you.
Contact our Houston personal injury lawyer today to get started with your free consultation session.
Are you dealing with the painful aftermath of a Texas construction accident? Do mounting bills and unexpected financial strains make your situation even more stressful? If you get hurt on the job, you could be entitled to significant funds from a workers’ compensation claim or third-party work injury case that could ease your financial burdens.
However, getting the money you are owed often means complying with convoluted filing procedures and standing up to tightfisted insurance companies bent on protecting their own bottom lines. That’s why you need and deserve the support of a reputable Houston construction accident law firm.
Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs is a nationally recognized legal powerhouse. Since opening our doors in 1992, we’ve handled thousands of cases and recovered more than $1 billion for our clients. Our firm is backed by over a century of combined experience and includes three attorneys board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. When you come to us for help, you can rest assured that your construction accident case is in the hands of a team with the resources and experience to do right by you.
Don’t wait any longer. Contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Houston construction accident lawyer. You’ll never be charged any fees unless we secure your recovery.
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that covers medical expenses and replaces a portion of lost wages for employees who suffer occupational injuries or illnesses, regardless of fault. The workers’ comp system protects both employees and employers. Eligible workers can get benefits promptly without having to sue or even prove fault, while covered employers are shielded from liability in employee injury lawsuits.
On the other hand, a third-party claim is an insurance claim you file against a party other than your employer who is responsible for your construction accident injuries. Liable third parties could include equipment manufacturers, contractors, property owners, and other entities whose wrongful actions or inaction contributed to your injuries. Unlike in workers’ comp claims, you can recover compensation for the full value of lost wages and subjective losses like pain and suffering from third-party claims. However, your Houston construction accident lawyers must prove fault on the part of the liable party to get compensation for these losses.
Yes. In some cases, you might be eligible to pursue both claims simultaneously. This strategy could maximize your potential compensation and cover the extensive costs associated with your work injuries.
But it’s important to note that if you receive workers’ compensation benefits and then also win a third-party claim, your employer’s insurance company could have the right to reclaim some or all of the benefits it paid you. Essentially, they could claim a portion of your third-party award to cover the costs they already covered, so you’re not getting reimbursed twice.
Balancing these two claim types is a delicate process, especially since it involves being caught between two insurance companies that are often equally reluctant to pay their fair shares. A Houston construction accident attorney can handle the nuances of this type of situation on your behalf, keeping the pressure on the insurance companies and ensuring that your interests remain front and center.
Construction sites are inherently hazardous work environments where accidents happen frequently. Workers face a variety of potential dangers that commonly result in construction accidents such as:
Our construction accident law firm has observed that, in many construction site accident cases, the inherent risks present are compounded by preventable factors like:
It depends. If your employer has workers’ compensation coverage, Texas law protects them from being sued by their employees for work-related injuries or illnesses. So, if your employer has this coverage, your primary source of recovery will be your workers’ compensation benefits, not a lawsuit.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. In cases where an employee’s death results from an employer’s negligence, the deceased worker’s family could have the right to sue the employer, even if they carry workers’ compensation insurance. Also, if your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, they are considered a “non-subscriber,” meaning you could sue them if they contributed to your construction accident injury.
This is a complex area of law, and suing an employer could have significant repercussions. Because of this, consulting an experienced work injury attorney who can guide you through the process is essential if you’re considering this type of lawsuit.
If you get hurt in a construction accident, it’s natural to wonder what types and amounts of compensation you could recover for your injuries. In Texas, there are two primary avenues for seeking compensation after a work injury: workers’ compensation claims and third-party work injury claims.
Workers’ compensation is a state-regulated insurance program that provides benefits to eligible employees who suffer qualifying work-related injuries or illnesses. In Texas, eligible workers are entitled to the following types of workers’ comp benefits:
Keep in mind that Texas does not require all employers to have workers’ comp coverage. In addition, even if you are entitled to workers’ comp benefits, they might not cover 100 percent of your losses.
In some cases, you could be able to file a third-party work injury claim instead of or in addition to a workers’ comp claim. A third-party claim might be appropriate if a party other than your employer caused or contributed to your injury.
You could get compensation for the following types of personal and financial losses with the help of a team of accident lawyers:
Remember, each case is unique. If you got hurt at work, you should consult a Houston construction accident law firm to learn more about your rights and the types of compensation you could recover.
Texas law imposes a two-year filing limit for a personal injury lawsuit such as a construction accident. This means you have two years from the date of most construction accident injuries to sue a liable party in civil court.
Workers’ compensation claims are also subject to strict deadlines, as are most other types of work injury insurance claims. Specifically, Texas law says you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the date you were hurt or the date when you knew your injury or illness was work-related. You’ll also need to send a completed claim form to the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) within one year of your injury date to protect your right to benefits.
Keep in mind that these deadlines can vary based on the specific circumstances of your case, and missing even one could jeopardize your right to recover compensation. That’s why you should consult a trusted construction injury law firm as soon as possible after a work injury.
Legal proceedings can be overwhelming for anyone, especially in the midst of physical and emotional recovery from severe injuries. An experienced construction injury lawyer in Houston can shoulder the legal burden and fight tirelessly for the money you are owed by:
