Work Injury Lawyers in Houston

Work Accident Lawyer

Houston Roots Shape Individualized Representation for Injured Workers

When a workplace accident disrupts your life, you need attorneys who treat your case as its own, not a file in a stack. At Fertitta & Givens, our Houston-based plaintiff’s firm represents injured workers across Texas with individualized attention and candid communication.

Our co-founders have deep roots here. Jessica Givens is a Houston native, and Michael Fertitta brings longstanding ties to the community. Partner Beth McEntee is a Harvard Law School graduate. Together, we represent individuals whose work injuries have created serious physical, financial, and legal challenges.

If you’ve been injured on the job in Houston or anywhere in Texas, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We handle qualifying cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call (346) 258-5803 to speak with our team.

Individualized Strategies & Candid Case Assessments

We don’t offer the same playbook to every client. Workplace injury claims involve distinct facts, parties, and legal paths, and we take the time to understand your situation fully before mapping a strategy.

Our representation is grounded in honesty. We give you a candid assessment of your claim: what’s favorable, what presents challenges, and what steps we recommend. We stay accessible from the first consultation through resolution.

Texas Work Injury Law: What Injured Workers Need to Know

Most private Texas employers may choose whether to carry workers’ compensation insurance, while Texas governmental entities are generally required to carry coverage. Private employers who opt out are known as non-subscribers, which can affect how an injured worker may pursue compensation.

When your employer is a non-subscriber, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against them, depending on the facts and applicable defenses. That path can allow you to pursue damages such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and physical impairment, rather than the more limited benefits workers’ compensation provides.

When an employer does carry workers’ compensation, the Texas Labor Code generally makes those benefits the exclusive remedy against that employer. Workers’ comp typically covers medical care and a portion of lost wages, but it doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering or other non-economic damages. Even so, you may still have a personal injury claim against a negligent third party whose actions contributed to your injury.

Timing matters. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, the general limitations period for a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of injury, subject to exceptions and claim-specific rules. Workers’ compensation claims carry shorter internal deadlines: you must generally report the injury to your employer within 30 days and file a claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation within one year. Deadline rules can vary depending on the type of claim and the circumstances involved, so getting a case-specific assessment early is important.

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Workplace Accidents & Injuries We Handle in Houston

Our practice covers claims arising from Houston’s major industries, including construction falls, oil and gas, refinery and plant operations, and industrial facilities.

Common incident types include struck-by events, oilfield and refinery explosions, chemical and hazardous substance exposure, heavy machinery and equipment failures, electrocution, and on-the-job transportation accidents. Work injuries may arise from a single event or from a condition that develops through repeated workplace exposure or activity over time. Possible consequences include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, serious burns, amputations, and occupational illnesses resulting from long-term exposure to harmful substances.

We also handle wrongful death claims when a family member is killed in a workplace accident. A workplace death can create distinct legal and benefits issues for surviving family members, depending on the employer’s coverage status and the facts of the incident. The legal path in any claim may depend on the employer’s workers’ compensation status, the conduct of other parties, the worker’s employment relationship, and the evidence available.

We review incident reports, safety records, equipment documentation, and contractual agreements as we assess each claim.

Third-Party Liability in Texas Work Accident Claims

Workers’ compensation, when it applies, limits claims against an employer, but it doesn’t necessarily limit claims against every party responsible for the accident. An injured worker may have a personal injury claim against a negligent third party even when the employer carries workers’ comp coverage.

Third parties who may bear liability for a workplace injury include equipment or machinery manufacturers when a defective product caused the injury, subcontractors whose negligence created a hazardous condition, property owners who failed to maintain a safe worksite, and other drivers when an on-the-job vehicle accident is involved. Regulatory or safety violations, including violations of OSHA standards, may be relevant evidence in assessing responsibility, though the existence of a violation doesn’t by itself establish civil liability. We evaluate these materials as part of a fact-specific review of each claim.

Under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a claimant whose percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent generally may not recover damages, and any fault assigned to the injured worker reduces the total recovery proportionally. Third-party claims can allow recovery of damages beyond workers’ comp benefits alone, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and physical impairment, when supported by the facts and applicable law.

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How We Investigate a Houston Workplace Injury

These cases can involve multiple employers, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners, along with competing accounts of what happened and who is responsible. We approach each claim with a multifaceted strategy that examines available theories of recovery and anticipates the arguments the other side will raise.

Our process starts with a thorough evidence review. Incident reports, safety records, maintenance logs, equipment documentation, and contracts all come under scrutiny. Medical records, photographs, witness information, and employment records may also be important when we investigate and develop a claim. We consult with trusted professionals when their insights can clarify the evidence and testimony. When the facts support an unconventional legal theory, we can pursue it.

Clients receive clear communication throughout. We explain where a case stands, what we’re doing and why, and what obstacles may arise. That transparency isn’t a courtesy. It’s how we work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These answers address common questions Houston workers and their families may have after a workplace injury.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Workplace Accident in Texas?

Seek medical attention first. After that, notify your employer of the injury as soon as possible, since Texas workers’ compensation rules generally require notice within 30 days. Preserve any records, photographs, or communications related to the incident. The steps that matter most can vary depending on your employer’s coverage status and the facts of what happened, so speaking with our work injury lawyers can help you identify the right priorities early.

What If the Workers’ Compensation Carrier Disputes Whether My Injury Is Work-Related?

A disputed claim may involve questions about whether the injury arose in the course and scope of employment and whether notice and filing requirements were met. You have the right to contest a denial through the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s dispute resolution process. The facts of how, when, and where the injury occurred are central to these disputes, and how those facts are documented and presented can affect the outcome.

Can I Have an Occupational Illness Claim Even If Symptoms Developed Gradually?

Yes, occupational illness claims can arise from conditions that develop through repeated or prolonged workplace exposure rather than a single incident. These claims raise different factual and legal questions than accident-based claims, including how exposure is established and when limitations periods begin to run. If you believe a workplace condition contributed to a health problem that developed over time, a case evaluation can help clarify your options.

What If My Employer Treats Me Differently After I Report a Workplace Injury?

Texas law generally prohibits retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you’ve experienced negative consequences at work after filing or pursuing a claim, that conduct may give rise to separate administrative or legal remedies. Documenting the timeline of your injury report and any changes in how you’ve been treated is an important step.

Do I Need an Attorney for a Work Injury Claim?

You aren’t required to have one, but Texas work injury law, particularly the non-subscriber rules and third-party liability options, is complex. Our attorneys can assess your employer’s coverage status, potential third-party claims, deadlines, and available evidence.

Discuss Your Houston Work Injury Case with Us

We represent injured workers and families facing serious injuries, disputed responsibility, occupational illness, or workplace death. Our team provides individualized attention, candid assessments, and detailed evidence review. We offer a free case evaluation, and certain cases can be handled on a contingency fee arrangement.

Call (346) 258-5803 to discuss what happened and learn about your legal options.

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