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You Were Hurt at Work. Here Is What Texas Law Actually Gives You the Right to Do.

Texas handles workplace injuries differently than almost every other state in the country — and that difference can work in your favor. Whether your employer carries workers' compensation, has opted out of it, or your injury happened offshore, the path to compensation depends on understanding which rules apply to your situation. I have spent 14 years helping injured workers in Corpus Christi and across Texas figure that out and pursue what they are owed.

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Why Workplace Injury Claims in Texas Are Not Like Other States

Texas is the only state in the country that does not require employers to carry workers' compensation insurance. Some employers choose to carry it voluntarily. Many do not. When an employer opts out — and in Texas, that is a legal choice — they are called a non-subscriber. If you were injured working for a non-subscriber employer, you have the right to sue them directly in civil court for your injuries.

 

That matters for one important reason: non-subscriber employers cannot use your own negligence as a complete defense. Under Texas law, they must prove that your negligence was the sole cause of the injury — a significantly higher legal standard than in most states. If they cannot meet that standard, they are liable. Verdicts against non-subscriber employers in Texas tend to reflect that.

 

Before you assume your only option is a workers' compensation claim, it is worth finding out whether your employer is actually a subscriber. Many workers in Corpus Christi are surprised to learn they are not.

Offshore and Maritime Workers Have a Separate Set of Rights

Corpus Christi is a working port city. A significant portion of the local workforce is employed in offshore oil and gas, petrochemical operations, and maritime industries — environments with elevated injury rates and legal frameworks that operate entirely outside standard Texas personal injury law.

 

If you were injured while working on a vessel or at sea, the Jones Act may apply to your case. The Jones Act is a federal law that provides specific legal remedies for maritime workers, including the right to sue your employer for negligence, claims based on the unseaworthiness of the vessel, and maintenance and cure — a separate obligation that requires your employer to cover your living expenses and medical costs while you recover, regardless of fault.

 

These claims follow different rules, different deadlines, and different procedures than a standard workplace injury lawsuit. Pursuing the wrong type of claim — or missing the right one — can cost you compensation you are entitled to. If your injury happened offshore or on the water, the first question to answer is which legal framework covers you.

For relatives living outside the United States


After USCIS approves the initial petition, the case transfers to the National Visa Center and then to a U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country. Your relative attends an interview abroad and, if approved, enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident. I prepare families for what the consular interview involves and what documents are required.


The right path depends on your family member's specific situation, including whether they entered the U.S. lawfully, whether they have any prior immigration violations, and whether any bars to admissibility apply.

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Consular Processing

What Happens If You Are Afraid to Report Your Injury

This is one of the most common concerns I hear from workers in Corpus Christi, and I want to address it plainly.

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Your Immigration Status Does Not Affect Your Right to Compensation

This is one of the most common concerns I hear from workers in Corpus Christi, and I want to address it plainly.

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Retaliation for Reporting a Work Injury Is Illegal in Texas

Texas law prohibits employers from firing, threatening, or penalizing an employee for reporting a workplace injury or filing a workers' compensation claim. If your employer has retaliated against you — or threatened to — that is a separate legal violation on top of the underlying injury claim. You do not have to choose between reporting what happened and keeping your job. The law does not ask you to make that choice.

Types of Workplace Injuries I Handle

I represent workers injured across a wide range of industries and circumstances, including:

 

  • Construction accidents, including falls, equipment failures, and structural collapses
  • Offshore and maritime injuries covered under the Jones Act or general maritime law
  • Petrochemical and refinery accidents
  • Forklift, crane, and heavy machinery accidents
  • Slip and fall injuries on job sites
  • Injuries caused by defective tools or equipment
  • Injuries resulting from inadequate safety training or supervision
  • Workplace injuries involving non-subscriber employers

 

If your injury happened at work and someone else's negligence contributed to it, I want to hear what happened.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Injuries in Texas

  • Does my employer have to carry workers' compensation insurance in Texas?

    No. Texas is the only state that makes workers' compensation coverage optional for most private employers. If your employer has opted out, they are called a non-subscriber. You can check your employer's coverage status through the Texas Department of Insurance, and I can help you do that as part of an initial case review.

  • Can I sue my employer if they do not have workers' compensation?

    Yes. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you can file a civil lawsuit against them for your injuries. In those cases, Texas law removes several of the defenses the employer would otherwise have — including the ability to use your own negligence as a complete bar to recovery. Non-subscriber cases often result in larger outcomes for injured workers than standard workers' compensation claims would have produced.

  • What is the Jones Act and does it apply to my injury?

    The Jones Act is a federal law that protects maritime workers — people who spend a significant portion of their work time on a vessel in navigation. If you qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act, you can sue your employer for negligence, pursue claims based on an unseaworthy vessel, and seek maintenance and cure benefits. These rights exist separately from and in addition to standard state law remedies. Whether the Jones Act applies depends on the specifics of your employment and where the injury occurred.

  • Can I bring a workplace injury claim if I am undocumented?

    Yes. Your immigration status does not bar you from bringing a personal injury claim in Texas. The law recognizes your right to be compensated for injuries caused by an employer's negligence regardless of your documentation. I handle both immigration and personal injury matters, so if you have concerns about how a claim might interact with your immigration situation, I can address both in the same conversation.

  • How long do I have to file a workplace injury claim in Texas?

    For most workplace injury lawsuits in Texas, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. Jones Act claims also carry a three-year statute of limitations from the date of injury, though certain procedural deadlines may apply earlier. Waiting to consult an attorney can limit your options, so it is worth reaching out as soon as you are able.
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You have more legal options than you may realize — and more protection than your employer may have led you to believe. I will review your situation honestly, explain which claims apply to your case, and tell you what pursuing them would actually look like. There are no fees unless we recover for you.

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