Don’t let Texas’s convoluted workers’ compensation system stand in the way of the justice and support you deserve. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our seasoned attorneys are ready to stand up on your behalf and pursue the benefits you’re entitled to.
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Workplace injuries can have immediate and far-reaching effects. If your injuries leave you unable to work, your financial circumstances can change very quickly. With medical costs piling up and no way to pay for them, you may be dealing with a stressful situation and be unsure of what to do.
A Houston workplace accident attorney can help. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we have more than 100 years of combined experience serving injured workers. We can guide you through the process of pursuing workers’ compensation benefits or compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us today to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.
Workplace accidents occur across the full spectrum of industries, from office environments and transportation to prominent Houston-area industries such as construction and oil and gas. According to data from the Texas Department of Insurance, roughly 165,300 private-sector workers in Texas suffered workplace injuries in one recent year. Additionally, 564 workers suffered fatal injuries that same year.
Houston’s economy depends heavily on energy production, manufacturing, and large-scale construction projects. These sectors involve physically demanding work and constant exposure to hazards such as heavy machinery and elevated job sites.
The city’s large network of refineries and industrial plants also increases the likelihood of accidents involving burns, explosions, or toxic exposure. Even with safety regulations in place, the combination of fast-paced work environments and high-risk tasks means injuries remain common.
A work accident attorney in Houston will be highly familiar with the risks associated with these industries and prepared to help you pursue justice after an accident.
Our Houston work injury lawyers have defended plaintiffs working in numerous industries. Some of the accidents our clients have had in the past, include but aren’t limited to the following:
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Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs handles cases arising from a wide range of injuries that occur on Houston worksites, including the following:
Liability for a workplace accident depends on who was responsible for creating or allowing the unsafe conditions that caused the injury. Because Texas doesn’t require all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, determining liability can be more complicated. Additionally, multiple parties may be involved at a job site, and identifying the right party is key to recovering fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Potentially liable parties may include the following:
The type of compensation available after a workplace accident depends on whether your employer carries workers’ compensation coverage. If so, you may be eligible for benefits covering your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident.
If your employer is a non-subscriber or a third party caused your injury, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim instead. This allows you to seek broader compensation, including full lost wages, future earnings, medical care, and compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain and emotional distress.
Workers’ compensation and third-party injury claims serve distinct purposes in workplace injury cases.
A workers’ compensation claim is a claim against your employer’s insurance. Workers’ comp benefits provide swift and necessary financial support for medical costs and lost income, no matter who was at fault for the injury. These benefits are typically limited and do not account for the full value of your financial losses or intangible losses like pain and suffering.
Third-party injury claims arise when you get hurt due to the wrongful behavior of a party other than a covered employer, such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer. You could file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the responsible third party in these cases. Unlike workers’ comp benefits, money from third-party claims can cover the full range of your losses, including all lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
In some cases, yes. After a workplace injury in Texas, you could have the right to collect workers’ comp benefits and seek additional compensation from a claim against a liable third party. This might include entities like equipment manufacturers, contractors, or other drivers in work-related traffic accidents.
But note that if you secure compensation from a third party, your employer or insurance company could have the right to recover some or all of what it’s paid you. This process, called subrogation, prevents you from being doubly compensated for the same injury. It also highlights the difficulty of simultaneously managing workers’ comp and third-party claims. For a situation like this, your best move is to hire an experienced, reputable Houston work injury law firm.
The question of whether you can sue your employer for a work injury in Texas hinges upon the specifics of your employer’s insurance coverage. If they provide workers’ compensation insurance, they enjoy substantial legal protections against most employee lawsuits. In fact, the only time a covered employer could be subject to an employee lawsuit in Texas is when the employee’s death is directly attributed to the employer’s negligence.
However, things are different if your employer does not provide workers’ compensation coverage. In this case, they forfeit their protection against lawsuits from injured employees. So, if you suffer a workplace injury or illness, and your employer doesn’t provide workers’ comp coverage, you could have the right to bring a lawsuit against your employer. The best way to assess your legal rights after a work injury is to consult a knowledgeable Houston personal injury lawyer.
The more common scenarios where third-party claims might arise in a workplace setting include the following:
Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney is the best way to avoid the many common pitfalls of work injury claims, such as missed filing deadlines. Additionally, because insurance companies are often focused on minimizing payouts, you might need more negotiation leverage to secure a fair settlement with representation.
Handling a work injury claim without an attorney can also be extremely stressful and time-consuming, taking focus away from your recovery. And if unexpected challenges arise, such as disputes over the severity of your injuries or employer retaliation, you could be unprepared and vulnerable without legal counsel. When the stakes are this high, having an experienced Houston work injury lawyer on your side is essential.
Recovering from a workplace injury can be difficult enough without the added pressure of medical bills, insurance paperwork, and legal deadlines looming over you. A work injury lawyer in Houston can help protect your rights and make sure your claim is handled correctly.
Whether you’re pursuing workers’ compensation benefits or a personal injury lawsuit, having a lawyer means you have someone who understands the legal process and can identify all possible sources of recovery. Additionally, employers and insurers often minimize claims, and an attorney can step in to push back against these attempts to prevent you from getting the money you need.
A Houston workplace accident attorney can do the following:
City and county employees in Houston are generally covered under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, which provides benefits for medical care and lost wages after an on-the-job injury. However, the rules can differ for public sector workers compared to private employees. For example, claims involving municipal workers often follow special procedures set by the City of Houston’s Risk Management Division rather than the standard insurance process.
Contractors and workers employed by government agencies may also face unique issues, including limits on who can be held liable under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §101.021, which governs claims against governmental entities. A city worker injury lawyer familiar with these claims can help workers navigate these unique procedures and pursue all available benefits or third-party claims.
Your health should always come first after a workplace accident. Even if your injuries seem minor, getting prompt medical attention creates a record of your condition and can help prevent complications later. It also protects your legal rights, as insurance companies often question claims without timely documentation.
Once you are safe and have received medical care, there are several important steps you should take to protect your claim:
Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs was founded in 1992. For over 30 years, we’ve fought for severely injured Houston workers who need help accessing the workers’ comp benefits and personal injury compensation they deserve. Our many years of service have helped us build a reputation as tenacious, trial-tested attorneys who do everything it takes to secure a favorable outcome for our clients. We have significant resources to devote to your case, including established relationships with top experts who can provide critical testimony on your behalf.
We know you have a choice when it comes to the Houston workplace accident attorney who manages your claim. When you choose Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, you can trust that we’ll take our role seriously. We’ve recovered over $1 billion for our deserving clients and are ready to support you throughout the claims process while you focus on healing.
After a work injury, you likely have many questions about your legal rights and the process of pursuing accountability. Here are brief answers to some of the questions we hear most often – don’t hesitate to reach out for more information!
Seek medical care immediately, then report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Document everything, including photos, witness names, and medical records. Avoid signing paperwork or giving statements until you’ve spoken with a Houston workplace accident attorney about your rights.
In most cases, employees covered by workers’ compensation cannot sue their employers. However, if your employer is a non-subscriber or acted with gross negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer can review your situation and help you understand your legal options.
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, your lost wages, and the injuries’ long-term impact. Workers’ compensation provides limited benefits, while personal injury claims may help you recover full lost income and compensation for pain and suffering.
If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may file a personal injury claim directly against them. Unlike workers’ compensation, you’ll need to prove your employer’s negligence, but the amount and types of compensation available to you can be broader. Texas law also restricts certain defenses for non-subscribers, which can strengthen your right to recovery.
If you got hurt at work, you deserve as much time and space as you need to focus on your physical recovery. Let an accident at work lawyer from Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs take charge of your workers’ compensation or personal injury claims process. We’ll prepare a persuasive claim and fight for the full, fair compensation and benefits you deserve. Contact us today to get started with a free, fully confidential consultation. You pay nothing unless and until we win your case.
