Houston Industrial Accident Attorney

industrial accidents
Tommy Fibich - attorney
Contact an Industrial Accident Lawyer in Houston Today

If you got hurt in an industrial accident, don’t wait to seek the recovery you deserve. The experienced attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs are ready to fight for your rights and guide you through the claims process.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a Houston Industrial Accident Lawyer.

Tommy Fibich - attorney
Contact an Industrial Accident Lawyer in Houston Today

If you got hurt in an industrial accident, don’t wait to seek the recovery you deserve. The experienced attorneys at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs are ready to fight for your rights and guide you through the claims process.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a Houston Industrial Accident Lawyer.

Did you recently get hurt in a Houston industrial accident? Are you struggling to recover as your medical bills keep piling up and you have no steady paycheck to count on? If so, you could be entitled to significant compensation from an industrial accident work injury claim. With a successful claim, you could recover money for your healthcare costs, reduced income, and other losses related to an industrial accident.

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we have handled thousands of injury cases throughout Texas and recovered more than $1 billion in rightful compensation for deserving clients like you. Our lawyers are familiar with insurance company tactics and are well-prepared to counteract them. We can calculate a reasonable value for your claim and fight tenaciously to demand a fair settlement on your behalf. Our team will handle your case for you, taking the stress off you and shifting it onto those who should be held accountable.

Get the legal help you need today. Contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs today for a free consultation with a Houston industrial accident lawyer, and let our team pursue the recovery you deserve.

How Are Industrial Accident Injuries Different from Typical Workplace Injuries?

Workers are routinely exposed to heavy machinery, hazardous substances, and high-risk conditions in industrial environments such as manufacturing plants, construction sites, and oil refineries. This means that when accidents occur, they are more likely to result in serious injuries such as burns, amputations, chemical exposures, or even fatalities.

Additionally, due to the nature of the equipment and materials used, multiple individuals are more likely to be injured in a single incident. Further, the long-term consequences of industrial accident injuries are often more significant, resulting in permanent disabilities, ongoing medical treatments, and lost quality of life.

What Must an Employee Do When an Industrial Injury Occurs?

If you get hurt in an industrial accident in Houston, you should take the following steps to protect your legal rights and your well-being:

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Seek necessary medical treatment as soon as possible
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Record all medical treatments you receive related to the injury
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Inform your employer or supervisor of the accident within 30 days
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Take notes on all the details of the accident while it’s fresh in your memory
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Save items like clothing or equipment that could serve as potential evidence
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Identify any witnesses to the accident and request their contact information
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Keep all bills, receipts, and documents related to your work injury
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If you plan to file a workers’ compensation claim, do so by the one-year deadline
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Seek legal advice from an industrial accident injury lawyer in Houston
Industrial Accidents

What Are Common Accidents at Texas Manufacturing Companies?

Texas has a large industrial sector, so workplace accidents are unfortunately common across the state. Some of the most common types include the following:

Chemical plant accident Icon
Chemical plant accident
Manufacturing plant accident Icon
Manufacturing plant accident
Heavy equipment accident Icon
Heavy equipment accident
Warehouse accident Icon
Warehouse accident
Scaffolding collapse Icon
Scaffolding collapse
Equipment and machinery accidents Icon
Equipment and machinery accidents
Forklift accident Icon
Forklift accident
Welding accident Icon
Welding accident
Transportation accident Icon
Transportation accident
Hazardous exposure incident Icon
Hazardous exposure incident
Confined space accident Icon
Confined space accident

What Are Common Types of Injuries in Industrial Accidents?

Industrial accidents can result in a wide range of injuries due to the hazardous nature of industrial work environments. The common types of industrial accident injuries that occur in Texas include:

Burns and scalds Icon
Burns and scalds
Fractures and broken bones Icon
Fractures and broken bones
Head and brain injuries Icon
Head and brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries Icon
Spinal cord injuries
Amputations Icon
Amputations
Crushing injuries Icon
Crushing injuries
Electric shock injuries Icon
Electric shock injuries
Hazardous exposure injuries Icon
Hazardous exposure injuries
Respiratory injuries Icon
Respiratory injuries
Eye and ear injuries Icon
Eye and ear injuries
Back and neck injuries Icon
Back and neck injuries
Repetitive strain injuries Icon
Repetitive strain injuries
Internal injuries Icon
Internal injuries
Occupational diseases Icon
Occupational diseases

Who Can Be Held Liable for an Industrial Accident?

Depending on the circumstances, any of the following parties could be partially or fully liable for an industrial accident work injury:

An Employer

Employers that provide workers’ compensation coverage are largely exempt from liability for worker injuries in Texas. However, a Texas employer could be liable if they lack workers’ comp coverage or if their negligence directly contributes to an employee’s death.

A Manufacturer

If a piece of machinery or equipment was defectively designed, manufactured, or marketed, the manufacturer could be held responsible for resulting injuries.

A Property Owner

If the accident occurred on property the employer doesn’t own, the property owner could be liable for injuries stemming from unsafe conditions on the premises.

A Contractor or Subcontractor

In industrial settings, multiple contractors and subcontractors often work together. If a contractor causes an accident, they could be liable if others get hurt.

What’s the Difference Between a Workers’ Compensation Claim and a Third-Party Claim?

Workers file workers’ compensation claims with their employers’ insurance companies. These claims provide benefits like medical care coverage and wage replacement, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, workers’ comp typically won’t cover subjective losses like pain and suffering or the full value of lost wages.

Conversely, a third-party claim is a claim against a party other than the employer (like a contractor or equipment manufacturer) who is partially or fully liable for the accident. Workers can recover a broader compensation range with this type of claim, including money for pain, suffering, and all their lost earnings. However, they must prove that the liable parties were at fault to do so.

Can I File a Third-Party Claim for a Construction Accident While Receiving Workers’ Compensation?

Yes. Even if you’re already receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you could still have the right to file a third-party claim against any non-employer entities that contributed to your work accident. This may include manufacturers of faulty equipment, subcontractors, or property owners.

But keep in mind that if you win a third-party claim, your employer’s insurance company might be entitled to recover part of the money it paid you in workers’ compensation benefits. Handling multiple injury claims is a complex process that requires the assistance of an experienced Houston personal injury lawyer.

What Compensation Can a Worker Receive After Being Involved in an Industrial Accident?

If you were involved in an industrial accident in Texas, you could be entitled to various forms of compensation from one or more sources to alleviate your injury-related losses.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

First, let’s discuss the types of benefits available through workers’ compensation claims in Texas. These benefits could include the following:

  • Medical Benefits – These benefits cover all necessary medical treatment related to your work injury or illness, from emergency care to ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Income Benefits – Income benefits replace a portion of the income you lose if you temporarily miss work, can only accept lower-paying work, or cannot work at all due to your condition.
  • Burial Benefits – If a worker dies as a result of an occupational injury or illness, these benefits can cover some of their funeral expenses.
  • Death Benefits – Death benefits provide financial support to surviving dependents of workers who die as a result of occupational injuries or illnesses.

There are also four subtypes of benefits within the broader category of workers’ comp income benefits:

  • Temporary Income Benefits (TIBs) – These benefits, which replace a portion of lost income, are for workers temporarily out of work or only able to perform light-duty work for lower pay.
  • Impairment Income Benefits (IIBs) – If a worker sustains a permanent impairment from a work injury, they could claim IIBs based on the impairment rating a doctor assigns them.
  • Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBs) – These income replacement benefits are for workers with impairment ratings of 15 percent or higher who still cannot work after their IIBs run out.
  • Lifetime Income Benefits (LIBs) – In cases of severe, life-altering injuries, such as loss of limb or total blindness, LIBs could provide compensation for the remainder of the injured worker’s life.

Compensation from a Third-Party Work Injury Claim

If you got hurt due to the wrongful behavior of a third party (someone other than your employer or a co-worker), you could also be entitled to money from a third-party work injury claim. With a valid third-party claim, you could seek compensation for the following:

  • Medical care expenses
  • Anticipated future medical costs
  • The full value of your lost income
  • Lost future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of consortium

What Evidence Is Needed for a Worker Making an Industrial Accident Claim?

It depends. If you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim, you’re not required to prove that your employer or any other party was at fault for your injury. You can even claim benefits if you are at fault yourself. However, you’ll still need to prove that you and your injury qualify for benefits, which could require evidence such as the following:

  • Medical records
  • Employment records
  • Incident reports
  • Witness statements

In a third-party work injury claim, you must prove that a party other than your employer or a co-worker was at fault for your accident. This requires substantial evidence, possibly including the following:

  • Photos or videos of your injury and the area where it happened
  • Testimony from experts like accident reconstructionists
  • Proof of negligence, such as safety violations or inadequate maintenance
  • Proof of intentional misconduct, such as internal documents or ruined evidence

How a Houston Industrial Accident Attorney Can Help with Your Case

In the aftermath of an industrial accident, having an experienced Houston attorney at your side can be a game-changer. From your initial consultation onward, your lawyer can support you in numerous ways, including the following:

  • Investigating the circumstances that led to the industrial accident and your injuries
  • Identifying liable parties and possible sources of compensation for your case
  • Gathering and preserving helpful evidence to strengthen your claim
  • Consulting medical professionals and industry experts for useful testimony
  • Filing all necessary claim paperwork and adhering to critical deadlines on your behalf
  • Negotiating with insurers to demand the benefits or compensation you are owed
  • Taking your case to court and advocating for you at trial, if necessary