Austin Work Injury Lawyer
Work Accident Lawsuits in Texas
Our Austin work injury lawyers fight fiercely for injured employees so that they can begin to recover after serious injuries. If your employer failed to prioritize the safety of their employees, you were poorly trained, or you were injured by defective equipment, we can help.
In your free consultation, we will assess the details of your case and determine whether we believe it is worth pursuing. If we believe your case stands a high chance of success, then we will offer to represent you on a no-win no-fee basis.
If you have been injured at work, then you may be able to claim compensation in a workers comp claim or a personal injury claim. At Chris Morrow Law, PLLC, an experienced work injury lawyer will investigate your claim, gather evidence and fight on your behalf to ensure that you have the best chances of receiving full compensation.
When a qualified work injury lawyer takes over your case, you can focus on what’s important – your mental and physical recovery. At Chris Morrow Law, PLLC, we have been navigating personal injury law in Texas for over 25 years. Our goal is to protect workers and secure them maximum compensation for their suffering.
We work on a contingency fee basis which means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if you secure compensation. We also offer a free consultation so that any victim of a work-related injury has access to high-quality representation.
Call us today and seek a free consultation with an Austin work injury lawyer at 512-520-8100.
Injured in the workplace? You deserve to be protected. Reach out to our Austin work injury lawyer online or by phone today at 512-520-8100 to speak with us in a free consultation in English or Spanish.
Work Injury Claims Vs. Workers’ Comp Claims in Texas
People confuse work injury claims with workers’ compensation claims all the time, but the two are extremely different and are determined based on fault. A worker who is injured on the job can file for workers’ compensation benefits (assuming their employer is a Texas subscriber) without needing to prove that their employer or coworkers are at fault for their damages. As an employee you have certain rights, including receiving benefits after an accident for damages like lost earnings, medical expenses, and permanent impairment.
In some cases, workers can file third-party personal injury claims when they’re injured on the job by an individual or company who isn’t their employer. In these claims, victims must establish that the third party was negligent and that this negligence contributed to their damages, just like any other personal injury claim. In addition to receiving compensation for medical bills and lost wages, individuals can also be compensated for pain and suffering, which individuals who file workers’ comp claims aren’t necessarily entitled to.
Damages You Can Recover After a Work Injury
Work injury claims can be complex to navigate when other parties are involved. It’s likely that third parties and their insurance companies will try to distance themselves as much as possible from your accident and blame your employer instead or you, the victim. Having a personal injury attorney representing you is important so all of these potential consequences can be anticipated.
By filing a work injury claim on your behalf, we can recover damages like your medical bills, which may total hundreds of thousands of dollars if you’ve had to be hospitalized or undergo surgery. We can also provide for your lost income, any property damage that occurred, and non-economic damages like mental anguish and physical suffering, which are damages that the typical workers’ comp claim might not cover.
After a workplace injury, you deserve to be represented by a law firm that knows your rights and can fight to protect them. Call our Austin work injury lawyer today at 512-520-8100 .
Your Rights as an Injured Worker in Austin, TX
Federal legislation dictates your rights as a worker in Austin. You have a right to be safe at work, and employers have a duty to take reasonable measures to ensure that you are.
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), your employee rights include:
- To have safe equipment to use.
- To be fully protected from toxic chemicals.
- To be provided safety gear such as a helmet, eye protection, gloves, and anything else required by your job.
- To be properly trained and in a language you understand.
- The right to report an illness or injury and to receive copies of your medical records.
- To have access to the workplace injury and illness log.
- To seek copies of test results regarding hazards in the workplace.
- The right to request an OSHA inspection and speak with an inspector about any concerns you have without any fear of repercussions.
The Most Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
Regardless of the reason for your injuries, if they were caused by the negligence of your employer and could have been prevented, then you should seek compensation.
Some of the most common work-related injuries we see are:
Slip and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common workplace accidents. Uneven floor surfaces, poor lighting, wet or slippery falls, trailing cables, changes in levels, and inadequate housekeeping can all contribute.
If you have fallen at work, then contact an Austin slip and fall lawyer today to find out if you could be owed compensation.
Transportation-Related Accidents
Transportation incidents are the leading cause of workplace deaths across Texas and account for nearly 50% of all workplace injuries.
Contact with Objects and Equipment
Another cause of injury in the workplace is contact with objects and equipment. There are three common ways that incidents occur:
- Impact – Where the body is crushed by moving parts or by objects being processed.
- Entrapment – Where parts of the body are caught in equipment.
- Contact – Where the body comes into contact with hot surfaces, abrasive surfaces or sharp edges.
Construction Work Dangers in Austin, TX
Construction work is one of the most high-risk professions. Unlike other states, Texas does not make it a legal requirement for employers to have workers’ compensation insurance.
Injured workers are often unaware of their rights, and as a result, lawsuits against construction companies are not as common as they should be. The surplus of potential construction workers in Texas and the lack of repercussions can leave employers without an incentive to take appropriate measures to keep their employees safe from harm.
The Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) sets guidelines for workplaces, such as necessary training and safety equipment. However, they lack the manpower required to ensure that measures are properly followed. In 2021, the OSHA had just one compliance officer for every 70,000 workers. It is therefore unsurprising that in 2019 there were 123 workplace fatalities of construction workers.
It is important that workplaces are held to high standards and that reasonable measures are taken to keep people safe from harm. If you have been injured at work, then you should contact an Austin work injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Not only will they fight tirelessly to secure you the compensation you deserve, but they will also put pressure on workplaces to assess their safety measures and take action to keep people safe.
How to Seek Compensation For a Workplace Injury
Although every personal injury claim is unique, they usually follow similar steps.
Step One: Find Potential Law Firms
The first step in securing the compensation you are owed after a workplace accident is to find an experienced work injury lawyer. While you may be able to claim compensation without an lawyer, we always recommend people seek representation. Workers’ compensation claims are highly complex and often involve large insurance companies with skilled legal teams. When you hire representation, you level the playing field and ensure that your rights are protected.
Step Two: Seek a Free Consultation
Choosing a law firm can be a daunting process. That is why at Chris Morrow Law, PLLC, we offer a free case evaluation with no strings attached. This gives you an important opportunity to ask any questions you may have and make an informed choice about your next steps.
Whether you would rather speak to your Austin workplace injury lawyer on the phone, a video chat, or an in person meeting, we are happy to accommodate. It is important to remember that your case could take many months or even years to complete, so it is good if you feel comfortable with your lawyer.
In your free consultation, we will assess the details of your case and determine whether we believe it is worth pursuing. If we believe your case stands a high chance of success, then we will offer to represent you on a no-win no-fee basis. We will explain how this works and lay out what percentage of your settlement will pay for our services in your consultation so that you can make an informed decision.
Step Three – Investigation
If you agree to representation, then we will get to work quickly to collect evidence, complete the necessary paperwork, liaise with your employer’s insurance company, and investigate your claim. We will get to work quickly to ensure that evidence is preserved and that you have a strong case for compensation.
Step Four – Negotiation
We will determine what we believe your case is worth, and once you agree, we will offer a settlement to the at-fault party. If they agree, then your case will be over, and you can use the compensation to help rebuild your life.
Step Five – Court Case
If an agreement cannot be reached, then your case may go to court. If this happens, we will already have the evidence required to fight fiercely on your behalf in front of a judge.
From beginning to end, we will be by your side; we will keep you informed at every stage and will not rest until we have explored every avenue for compensation.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim After a Workplace Accident?
The amount of compensation you could be owed depends on the value of your damages. An experienced work injury lawyer will investigate your case to determine how much you are owed. They will secure strong evidence so that your proposed settlement is difficult to dispute.
Medical Bills
Medical bills are often the biggest source of stress after an injury at work. It’s common for medical expenses to quickly exceed policy limits and leave people struggling to get by. If you are unable to work, then this could be particularly frustrating.
You were not responsible for your injuries, and you should not be responsible for your medical expenses either. A skilled work injury lawyer will ensure that it is not only your previous medical bills that are considered but also the cost of future treatment. This may require expert testimony and a detailed medical examination.
To preserve your right to fair compensation for your medical damages, you should ensure you keep all bills and receipts. That includes bills for medical treatment, therapy, transport to and from appointments, and even childcare.
Loss of Earnings
If you have suffered an injury at work, then it is likely that you will need to take time off work, and for some people, this results in lost wages. Any lost wages should be considered in your settlement, and if you are unable to return to the same profession because of your physical injuries or mental trauma, then you may be able to claim for future loss of earnings.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages are non-economic damages, which means that they are not easily quantified with bills and receipts. Instead, these damages are to compensate victims for the emotional distress, physical pain, trauma, and loss of enjoyment in life. If you were an avid cyclist and can no longer ride your bike, then this is a loss of enjoyment.
These damages require a skilled work injury lawyer to ensure that you are properly compensated. One way you can protect your right to compensation is by keeping a diary detailing your mood, pain levels, treatment, and anything you might be missing out on. Keep it as simple as possible, such as a 1-10 pain score and a few words on how you are feeling.
Punitive Damages
Compensatory damages are designed to compensate you for your injuries. Some cases also involve punitive damages, which are non-compensatory, instead, they are designed to punish the at-fault party or discourage similar behavior.
Punitive damages can only be awarded by a judge in personal injury claims involving malicious intent or gross negligence.
Common Work Injuries & Accidents
While some on-the-job accidents can cause minor injuries that put workers out of work for a few days like sprains or fractures, many are serious, especially in dangerous industries, and can result in death. In 2016 alone, there were 545 fatal workplace injuries reported in Texas – a 3 percent rise from the year before.
Attorney Chris Morrow has handled work injury claims that have risen from a variety of accidents, some of the most common including:
- Auto accidents: Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries in the United States – more than 6 million crashes occur every year – so it comes as no surprise to learn that auto accidents account for many work injury claims. Individuals can file third-party claims when they’re injured by other drivers while on the road for work. Some common causes of car crashes include drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding – all of which are human errors and can be considered negligent behavior.
- Construction accidents: The construction industry is one of the most dangerous workplaces, as it comes with a variety of accident opportunities. Construction workers have to work with heavy machinery, equipment, and vehicles, scale tall and unstable buildings, handle harmful and toxic substances, and more. All it takes is one error to serious injure or kill someone else. Some workers can file injury claims when a third party injures them, like a contractor or building owner.
- Oilfield accidents: Texas is known for its massive oil industry, so it makes sense that some work injury claims involve oilfield accidents. Oil workers, like construction workers, face a range of dangers every day, from coming into contact with toxic gases and liquids to having to work with heavy equipment and machinery. If you’ve been injured on an oilfield after being struck by an object or being exposed to mercury or silica, you may be eligible to file a work injury claim.
Some of the most common work-related injuries our lawyer has seen include bone fractures, amputations, dislocated joints, and neck and back injuries. Workers can also experience severe traumatic brain injuries when they fall from heights or are struck on the head by flying objects. Some injuries are permanent and can result in loss of limbs, nerve damage, or hearing or vision loss.
Attorney Chris Morrow cares about each of our clients’ recovery and can fight for you using his 25+ years of litigation experience.
Contact an Austin Work Injury Attorney Today
At Chris Morrow Law, PLLC, we are committed to your right to compensation. We have a passion for helping victims of workplace injuries and will work tirelessly to ensure you have the best chance of success.
We have a long history of success both in and out of the courtroom, using over 28 years of experience, a dedication to our clients, and a stellar approach to the attorney-client relationship.
Our phone lines are active 24/7 so that you can seek help when you need it most. Arrange a free consultation today and find out what we can do for you.
Give us a call today at 512-520-8100.
