Undefeated Houston Work Injury Lawyers
Premier Houston Work Accident Lawyers
More workers are seriously injured and tragically killed in work-related accidents in Houston each year than any other city in the state of Texas.
In 2023, for example, 15 workers were killed while on the job, and the greater Houston metroplex — including Spring, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, and Cypress — saw an additional six lives claimed in work-related accidents, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration fatality inspection data.
When the unthinkable happens and you or a loved one are seriously injured on the job, you need and deserve the best personal injury lawyers in Houston, TX:
A law firm that has a solid track record of recovering the largest verdicts and settlements in history against the biggest companies in the world for hardworking Texans and their families. A firm with access to the best engineers and safety experts in the country to determine what really happened and how it should have been prevented. And, most importantly, a firm with the resources to stand up, fight, and win.
Table of Contents
- The Difference Between Workers Comp and a Personal Injury Lawsuit
- Understanding Workers Compensation Benefits
- The Downside of Receiving Workers Compensation Benefits
- Can My Workers Compensation Benefits be Denied?
- What are My Options if I’ve Been Injured at Work?
- What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
- What Our Clients Have to Say
- Frequently Asked Questions
Injured at Work? Call our Undefeated Houston Work Injury Lawyers at 1-888-603-3636.
When you’ve been injured on the job, your employer will try to avoid responsibility by blaming you for the accident or limiting you to workers compensation benefits, which provide a small fraction of what you’d be able to recover in a personal injury lawsuit.
Texas law only provides the injured worker with a short period of time to file a workers’ compensation claim, which prevents the injured worker from choosing their own doctor and recovering the substantial damages that could be available if the worker or their family filed a personal injury lawsuit against the company.
Having won billions and recovered the largest verdicts and settlements in history for injured workers and their families, our Houston Work Injury Lawyers have the resources and experience to stand up against the largest companies in the world and ensure that injured workers receive the best medical care and maximum compensation possible for their injuries and losses.
The Difference Between Workers Comp and a Personal Injury Lawsuit
When you file a worker’s compensation claim in Texas, not only are you required to treat with a doctor chosen by the company (i.e., your employer), but your weekly benefits—which your employer will do everything possible to reduce—will be substantially less than if you recovered damages for all of your injuries and financial losses through a personal injury lawsuit against your company OR any other responsible parties.
Unlike workers’s comp, a personal injury lawsuit allows you the best chance of making a full physical and financial recovery because—in addition to enabling you to choose your own doctors for treatment—you’re able to recover ALL of your damages—including past and future “economic damages,” like medical expenses and lost wages—as well as any “non-economic damages,” such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, physical disfigurement and, in some cases, punitive damages.
Understanding Workers Compensation Benefits
Workers Compensation is a type of insurance that provides limited benefits for workers after an injury on the job. These limited benefits are supposed to cover certain medical expenses and a percentage of the worker’s prior wages or salary.
Unfortunately, Workers Comp coverage limits you to doctors selected by (and loyal to) your company and NEVER fully compensates you for your injuries, full medical expenses, and lost wages.
Often, the only way to receive FULL compensation for your injuries and damages is by hiring an experienced work injury lawyer and filing a personal injury lawsuit. Otherwise, your company will control the doctors you’re able to see, pay you pennies on the dollar for your lost wages, and refuse to compensate you for your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical disfigurement, and other non-economic damages.
The Downside of Receiving Workers Compensation Benefits
When you’re injured on the job, accepting workers’ compensation benefits will prevent you from seeing the best doctors and recovering the medical expenses, lost wages and other damages that you’d otherwise be entitled to recover through a personal injury lawsuit.
As a result, accepting Workers Comp benefits can make it impossible for you to recover your full damages from your employer.
An injured worker’s best option is often to hire a Work Injury Lawyer and file a lawsuit directly against their employer and any other third parties or individuals that contributed to or caused the worker’s injuries and losses.
Can My Workers Compensation Benefits be Denied?
Yes. Only injuries that occurred during the course and scope of an employee’s job are eligible for workers comp benefits. Additionally, if a worker is found to be in anyway responsible for the accident or their injuries, their comp claims will often be denied.
Undefeated Houston Work Injury Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here for a Free Consultation
In addition to being Undefeated, our Work Accident Lawyers have recovered Billions on behalf of injured workers and their families, including the #1 Largest Burn Injury Settlement in History and the #1 Largest Accident Verdicts and Settlements in Texas.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured, burned, or tragically killed in a work-related accident, contact our Undefeated Work Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by clicking here.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
What Are My Options if I’ve Been Injured at Work?
Injured workers typically have the following options after a work-related accident:
- Accept Workers’ Compensation benefits from their employer, which prevents the injured worker from filing a lawsuit against or recovering any damages from their employer
- File a lawsuit against their employer (assuming the employer does not provide Workers’ Compensation coverage) to recover all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and any other damages they are legally entitled to
- Accept Workers Compensation benefits from their employer, but file a lawsuit against any other third parties/companies that caused or contributed to the accident
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Injured workers are typically entitled to the following damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future mental anguish
- Past and future physical impairment and disfigurement
- Punitive damages in cases involved fatal accidents and egregious safety violations
What Our Clients Have to Say
“They Will Win for You”
Our client James had his life permanently changed when his leg was run over by a skid steer on a construction site. He was rushed to the ER, where he underwent emergency surgery, but the doctors had no choice but to amputate his leg below the knee.
His company, who he had worked with for almost 10 years, refused to take responsibility and blamed James for the life-changing accident.
After turning down multiple settlement offers, we took his case to trial. We quickly proved that the company was at fault and presented numerous witnesses who discussed the effect that this preventable accident had on James’s and his family’s lives.
We settled the case for over 20 times the previous settlement offers.
You can hear from more of our previous clients by visiting our client testimonial page or our firm’s YouTube channel.
Injured on the Job? Contact our Undefeated Houston Work Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here
Having won Billions on behalf of injured workers across Texas, including the #1 Largest Burn Injury Settlement in History, our Houston Work Injury Lawyers have the resources, experience and ability to stand up against the largest companies in the world and make sure that our clients and their families receive the maximum compensation possible.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured, burned, or tragically killed in a work-related accident, contact our Undefeated Work Injury Lawyers at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here.
We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.
Recent Client Reviews:
5/5 Stars
“My father was killed in a plant explosion in Louisiana a few years back, and I could not have chosen a better firm to represent me in holding the responsible parties accountable for their mistakes. I first called Zehl for help because they are very experienced in plant explosions and I had heard great things. But I decided to hire them because the very first lawyer I spoke with was more concerned with my well-being and mental state, than anything else. He checked up on me frequently, and really treated me as though I was family and that meant the world to me. Losing my father was a traumatic experience, but Ryan and the other lawyers at Zehl had my best interests in mind and were available 100% of the time for me. I would recommend Zehl and associates because although I am young with no experience dealing with lawyers, they treated me with respect and integrity and ALWAYS took the time to explain everything to me and make me feel comfortable. I can say with confidence that Ryan was the best fit to represent me, and if I ever need another lawyer- he would be the first one I turn to. Thanks for everything Ryan!”
5/5 Stars
“Ryan Zehl is the best, very nice, helpful, and compassionate. His firm works very hard to help you! I hired them because my brother was killed on a work site, the firm’s track record, and they seemed to really care about their clients and cases. Thank you all at Zehl & Associates for your help.”
– Rhonda M
Frequently Asked Questions
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you think your injuries are minor, you should demand to be checked out by the medical provider of your choice immediately after the accident. Sometimes seemingly minor injuries are the first indication that something is seriously wrong. Plus, companies routinely cite an employee’s failure to obtain timely medical care when disputing the severity of injuries and denying valid claims.
Take photos and preserve evidence. If possible, take photos of the accident scene, even if it’s been cleaned up. Also, be sure to preserve any physical evidence in your possession, including the clothes you were wearing when you were injured.
Keep records of medical treatment. Your medical records provide powerful documentation of your injuries, your course of treatment, and your prognosis. For that reason, you’ll also want to track and keep records of all communication related to the injury.
Report the incident to your employer right away. Timely notification is not only required to collect workers compensation benefits, but also documents the work-related nature of your injuries, the timing of the accident, and demonstrates that you took your injuries seriously.
Make a written account of the accident for your records. Include everything you remember about the accident, including details you don’t consider important, and the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Contact an attorney. DO NOT give a formal statement, sign ANY paperwork, or accept any money from the company (other than your regular paycheck) before speaking with an experienced work accident lawyer.
It depends on whether your employer offers worker’s compensation.
If your employer does offer workers compensation coverage, then, under Section 408.001 of the Texas Labor Code, you are limited to workers comp benefits and cannot file a lawsuit against your employer.
If your employer does not offer workers compensation coverage, then you can (and should) file a lawsuit. Not only will a lawsuit allow you to recover all of your medical expenses and lost wages, but you’ll also be compensated for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and other non-economic damages that workers comp does not provide for. And because your employer chose not to provide you and its other employees with workers comp coverage, they waive a number of important defenses in your lawsuit – including any claim that you were responsible for the accident.
There is one exception: the wrongful death exception.
If the employee was killed on the job, they CAN file a wrongful death lawsuit against the employer and recover exemplary or punitive damages, even if their employer provides workers’ compensation.
This is the only time that an employer who provides workers’ compensation can be sued.
After being injured on the job, Texas law provides the employee with 30 days to report the injury or illness to their employer. Failure to do so can result in a loss of benefits and waiver of coverage.
The timeline varies for each case. Initial medical benefits should be provided promptly, but the processing of income benefits may take longer.
No. Any injury that is job-related is covered by workers comp. That can include injuries suffered during travel or even work-related social functions.
If your injury was caused by another company’s negligence, you can file a lawsuit against them, as a “third-party,” to recover your full damages.
After serious accidents, companies immediately hire lawyers, who will start collecting evidence to avoid responsibility and blame you for your injuries. It’s important to contact an experienced Houston Work Injury Lawyer as soon as possible after the accident to evaluate the various defendants in the case and determine who may be liable for your injuries and losses.
No. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against (or terminate) you for filing a workers compensation claim.
Each case is different, but common reasons that workers comp claims get denied include:
- Missing documentation
- Waiting too long (after 30 days) to file
- An employer disputes your claim
- You didn’t seek medical attention
- You weren’t treated by an “approved” doctor
- Your injury or illness is not eligible for compensation
- You had a pre-existing condition
- You were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident