The construction sites, refineries, and industrial facilities throughout Houston are some of the most dangerous work environments in Texas. Workplace Injuries and Construction Site Accidents often lead to devastating, long-term injuries. While Texas does not mandate Workers’ Compensation for all employers, you still have rights. If your employer is a non-subscriber to workers’ comp, or if a third party (like a contractor or equipment manufacturer) was negligent, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the full value of your damages.
Call us now at (713) 576-0400 to get started with a free, confidential review of your family’s case.
Why Choose Karen Torres Law for Your Workplace Injury Claim
Navigating a workplace injury in Texas is complex. The legal strategy depends on whether your employer is a Workers’ Compensation subscriber. You need a fierce Houston construction accident attorney who can quickly determine the right path to full compensation.
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Non-Subscriber & Third-Party Claims: We specialize in aggressively pursuing full compensation in cases where the employer lacks workers’ comp or where a third-party’s negligence (like a general contractor, subcontractor, or equipment vendor) caused the injury.
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OSHA & Safety Investigations: We immediately investigate all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations and safety failures that contributed to your accident.
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Maximizing Damages: Unlike workers’ comp, a personal injury lawsuit allows us to recover full compensation for pain and suffering, which is vital in severe injury cases.
Services We Provide
We handle a wide range of catastrophic workplace and industrial injuries throughout the Greater Houston area:
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Falls from Heights: Scaffolding collapses, ladder accidents, and falls from rooftops.
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Electrocution and Electrical Burns: Caused by exposed wiring or failure to follow lockout/tagout procedures.
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Struck-By Incidents: Being hit by falling objects, heavy equipment, or swinging loads.
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Industrial Explosions & Fires: Injuries on refineries, chemical plants, or industrial sites.
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Oil Field & Energy Sector Injuries: Accidents on drilling rigs, pipelines, or fracking sites.
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Forklift and Heavy Equipment Accidents: Injuries due to improper training or equipment failure.
How We Help You Seek Maximum Compensation
If your employer is a non-subscriber or a third party is at fault, we can pursue a claim for all damages, including:
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Full recovery of lost wages and loss of future earning capacity.
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Payment of all medical bills, rehabilitation, and long-term care costs.
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Damages for severe pain, suffering, disfigurement, and permanent disability.
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Punitive damages (in cases of extreme gross negligence).
Why Matters in Houston
Houston’s economy is heavily reliant on the high-risk industries of construction, energy, and maritime work. The financial incentive for employers to cut corners on safety is unfortunately high. Many Texas companies opt out of the state Workers’ Compensation system (non-subscribers). Our firm fights for workers who are often vulnerable, ensuring that employers who fail to provide a safe environment on a construction site or industrial plant in Harris County are held financially liable for the resulting trauma.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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If I work in Texas and get hurt, do I have to file a Workers’ Comp claim? No. If your employer is a non-subscriber to the Texas Workers’ Compensation system, you cannot collect workers’ comp benefits, but you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them for negligence.
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What is a Third-Party Claim on a construction site? This is a lawsuit against someone other than your direct employer (e.g., the general contractor, a subcontractor, or the manufacturer of a faulty piece of equipment). These claims allow you to recover full damages beyond the limits of Workers’ Compensation.
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Does my employer have to pay for my medical treatment right after the injury? It depends on their policy. For non-subscribers, they often offer limited benefits plans, but accepting them may require signing a release. Do not sign anything before speaking with an attorney.
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Can I be fired for filing a workplace injury claim? No. Retaliation against an employee for filing a good-faith workers’ compensation claim or an injury lawsuit is illegal in Texas. If you are fired, we can pursue a separate wrongful termination claim.
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What evidence is most important in a construction injury case? Photos of the accident scene, eyewitness reports, your clothing/equipment, maintenance logs, and official reports (e.g., OSHA, fire marshal). We secure and preserve this evidence immediately.
Client Testimonials
“After my scaffolding fall, the company tried to blame me. Karen’s team immediately filed a lawsuit and got the OSHA report. She proved gross negligence and secured a life-changing settlement that covers all my future care. The best construction accident attorney in Houston.” – Eduardo G.
“My employer was a non-subscriber. Karen Torres was aggressive and focused, winning a major verdict that covered my medical retirement and pain and suffering. She is a powerful and dedicated advocate for injured workers.” – David K., Industrial Worker
“A piece of faulty equipment from an outside vendor caused my injury at the refinery. Karen identified the third party, separating my claim from my employer, and secured a huge recovery. I finally got the justice I deserved.” – Teresa R.
