Workplace Injury Lawyers in Texas

Texas workers face serious risks on the job every day. Whether in construction, oilfields, manufacturing, or distribution centers, the state’s booming industries often come with dangerous working conditions. And when something goes wrong, the results can be life-altering—burns, brain trauma, amputations, or permanent disability.

But Texas law is different. It offers unique opportunities—and unique challenges—for injured workers. Depending on your employer’s coverage status and the nature of the accident, you may have rights beyond workers’ compensation. Understanding those rights is critical. And having the right legal team can make all the difference.

At Nix Patterson, we help injured workers across Texas take action against negligent employers. We don’t just file claims—we build cases that hold companies accountable.

Why Texas Workers Trust Nix Patterson for Serious Injury Cases

Not all law firms handle catastrophic workplace injury claims. And very few understand the unique legal landscape that injured workers face in Texas. Nix Patterson does.

Built in Texas. Fighting for Texas Workers.

We’re proud of our Texas roots. Our attorneys have deep experience with the industries that keep this state running—from oil refineries and pipeline contractors to construction firms and warehouse operators. We’ve seen firsthand how safety shortcuts, poor training, and ignored regulations lead to serious harm. And we’ve built our firm to fight back.

Focused on Negligence, Not Workers’ Comp

We don’t process workers’ compensation claims. We pursue civil lawsuits on behalf of injured workers who deserve more than the system provides. That includes cases involving non-subscriber employers, gross negligence, OSHA violations, and third-party liability.

Our clients come to us after spinal cord injuries, amputations, electrocutions, and traumatic burns. They need more than benefits. They need accountability. We give them the legal power to demand it.

Ready for Trial—From Day One

When we take your case, we prepare it for court from the start. That means preserving evidence, hiring top experts, and documenting every medical detail. We’re not here to push paper. We’re here to win.

And you pay nothing unless we do.

The Landscape of Workplace Injuries in Texas

Texas leads the nation in workplace fatalities—and consistently ranks among the top states for serious on-the-job injuries. The state’s economic engine is powerful, but it comes with risks that workers carry every day.

Where the Danger Is

Certain industries pose the greatest threats:

• Construction: Falls from scaffolding, crane accidents, electrocutions, and structural collapses are common causes of injury and death on Texas job sites.
• Oil and Gas: Refineries, pipelines, and drilling rigs carry constant risks of explosions, chemical exposure, and equipment failure.
• Warehousing and Logistics: Forklift crashes, falling inventory, and repetitive strain injuries affect workers in the state’s booming shipping and distribution centers.
• Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities: Conveyor belt injuries, burns, machine malfunctions, and inadequate PPE often lead to severe harm.

These industries are vital to the Texas economy—but they also produce some of the most preventable injuries.

How It Happens

Many of the workplace injuries we see involve:

• Lack of training for new hires
• Unsafe or outdated equipment
• Missing fall protection
• Failure to follow lockout/tagout procedures
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Overworked employees pushed past safe limits

In short: these are not freak accidents. They are signs of negligence—of systems that failed the people they were meant to protect.

At Nix Patterson, we hold those systems accountable.

When You Can Sue Outside the Workers’ Comp System in Texas

Unlike most states, Texas allows private employers to opt out of the workers’ compensation system. That legal choice has major consequences for injured workers.

What It Means to Work for a Non-Subscriber

If your employer does not carry workers’ comp insurance, they are considered a “non-subscriber.” That means you can sue them directly in civil court if you were injured on the job—even if the injury wasn’t intentional or malicious.

In fact, Texas law makes it easier for injured employees to win civil claims against non-subscriber employers. If your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury in any way, they can be held fully liable. They can’t use your own fault as a defense. And they can’t rely on comp caps to limit their payouts.

This is one of the strongest legal tools available to injured workers in Texas—and one that many never realize they have.

When Workers’ Comp Isn’t the End of the Story

Even if your employer is a subscriber, you may still have the right to file a lawsuit under specific circumstances:

• Gross Negligence: If your employer showed a reckless disregard for safety—such as ignoring OSHA citations or disabling safety equipment—you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim or additional damages.
• Intentional Misconduct: If the employer knew of a deadly risk and deliberately failed to act, civil liability may apply.
  
  
• Third-Party Fault: If a contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer contributed to your injury, you may be able to sue them directly.

These legal pathways offer more than just compensation—they offer the power to force change, expose dangerous practices, and seek justice that workers’ comp simply doesn’t provide.

OSHA Violations and Texas Workplace Injury Claims

In Texas, federal OSHA standards apply to most private employers. These standards are not just guidelines—they are legal requirements meant to protect workers from known hazards. When employers violate those rules and someone gets hurt, those violations can become powerful evidence in a personal injury lawsuit.

What OSHA Covers in Texas Workplaces

OSHA regulations cover a broad range of workplace safety requirements, including:

• Fall protection
• Machine guarding
• Lockout/tagout procedures
• Hazardous chemical handling
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) standards
• Emergency exit access and fire prevention plans

Employers are required to follow these rules, train their workers, and correct known hazards. When they fail to do so, they can be cited—and those citations often reveal patterns of neglect that go beyond a single incident.

How OSHA Violations Are Documented

When a serious workplace injury occurs, OSHA may conduct an investigation. Inspectors gather evidence, interview employees, and review safety procedures. If violations are found, the employer may receive a citation that outlines what went wrong and how it violated federal law.

These records matter. In a civil case, we use OSHA documentation to show that the employer failed to meet their basic legal responsibilities—and that failure directly contributed to your injury. Past citations can also be used to demonstrate that the employer knew about the risk and chose not to fix it.

At Nix Patterson, we analyze OSHA reports line by line. We use those findings to strengthen your claim and show the court exactly how your injury could have—and should have—been prevented.

Key Differences Between Workers’ Comp and Civil Lawsuits

After a serious workplace injury, many Texas workers are unsure which path to take. They may believe workers’ compensation is their only option. But if negligence, unsafe conditions, or third-party involvement played a role, civil litigation may provide a more complete—and more just—solution. The difference between the two systems is not just legal. It’s personal. And it can change everything about your recovery.

What Workers’ Compensation Covers—and What It Doesn’t

Workers’ comp is designed to provide basic support without requiring you to prove fault. If you qualify, it typically includes:

• Immediate medical treatment for the injury
• Partial replacement of your wages during recovery
• Temporary or permanent disability payments
• Access to vocational rehabilitation in limited cases

But what it leaves out is just as important—especially for those who suffer life-altering harm. Workers’ compensation does not provide:

• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Damages for emotional trauma or mental health treatment
• Coverage for diminished quality of life
• Punitive damages, even in cases of gross employer misconduct

And because employers who subscribe to workers’ comp in Texas generally receive immunity from civil lawsuits, these gaps often go unaddressed.

What a Civil Lawsuit Can Provide

A personal injury lawsuit gives injured workers the chance to pursue the full scope of their losses—both financial and emotional. Through civil litigation, you may be entitled to:

• Full reimbursement of all medical expenses, including future surgeries, therapies, and ongoing care
• Total lost wages, including future earning capacity
• Damages for pain, suffering, and the mental toll of losing mobility or independence
• Punitive damages when an employer’s conduct was reckless, egregious, or in clear violation of safety laws

Unlike workers’ comp, these damages reflect the real cost of what you’ve endured—and the resources needed to move forward.

At Nix Patterson, we help clients navigate this decision point. If your injury qualifies for civil litigation, we’ll pursue the strongest possible claim and fight to recover everything you’re owed. Because your recovery shouldn’t be limited by a system that protects employers more than it protects people.

What You Can Recover Through a Civil Workplace Injury Lawsuit

Texas law allows injured workers to seek compensation for every part of their loss—not just immediate costs, but the ripple effects that follow a serious injury for months, years, or a lifetime.

Medical Costs and Ongoing Care

We pursue recovery for all necessary medical expenses, including:

• Emergency room visits and hospital stays
• Surgeries and follow-up care
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Prescription medications and pain management
• Long-term support, such as home care or medical devices

If your injury requires future surgeries or lifelong rehabilitation, we bring in medical experts to project those costs and include them in your claim.

Loss of Earning Capacity

Injured workers often can’t return to the same job—or any job at all. We calculate:

• Wages lost during recovery
• Missed bonuses and promotions
• Lost retirement contributions
• Future earnings you would have made if not for the injury

We work with economists and vocational specialists to create detailed financial projections that support your claim.

Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress

Texas law allows recovery for non-economic damages, including:

• Chronic pain
• Depression, anxiety, and PTSD
• Loss of independence
• Inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed
• Strain on family relationships and social life

These damages recognize that the true cost of an injury isn’t always visible on a medical bill—but it’s no less real.

Punitive Damages in Extreme Cases

If your employer’s behavior was especially reckless—such as disabling safety equipment or ignoring repeated OSHA violations—a court may award punitive damages. These are meant to punish misconduct and deter similar actions in the future.

How Nix Patterson Investigates and Builds Texas Injury Cases

When Nix Patterson takes on a workplace injury case in Texas, we don’t assume it will settle quietly. We prepare every case for trial from day one. That approach shapes every decision we make—from evidence collection to expert strategy—and gives our clients the leverage they need to demand full accountability.

Building a Clear Picture of What Went Wrong

The first step in our process is a full-scale investigation. We gather every piece of evidence that can clarify how the injury occurred and who was responsible. That includes:

• Securing photographs of the accident scene and any available surveillance footage
• Reviewing maintenance records, inspection logs, and internal safety reports
• Interviewing coworkers and supervisors with firsthand knowledge of the hazard
• Requesting and analyzing OSHA citations, prior complaints, or violation history

We don’t take your employer’s version of events at face value. Our team looks beneath the surface—because serious injuries are rarely random, and there’s almost always a pattern of negligence that made them possible.

Partnering with the Right Experts

A strong case needs more than testimony—it needs experts who can explain what happened and what the future looks like for the injured worker. We work with professionals in multiple fields, including:

• Safety engineers who can identify failed protocols or code violations
• Medical specialists who document your injuries and long-term treatment needs
• Life-care planners who assess future rehabilitation or home modifications
• Economists who calculate lost income, diminished earning power, and financial impact

These experts provide the technical foundation we use to challenge employer defenses and clearly present your damages to a jury. They help connect the dots from your injury to the failures that caused it—and the consequences that will follow for years to come.

No Upfront Fees. No Financial Risk.

We know that serious injuries come with serious financial pressure. That’s why we front every cost of litigation ourselves—from filing fees and expert consultations to depositions and trial preparation. You will never be asked to pay out of pocket.

If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. That model is more than a promise—it’s a reflection of our belief in your case and our commitment to fighting for the outcome you deserve.

Contact a Texas Workplace Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve suffered a serious injury on the job in Texas, you may be entitled to far more than workers’ compensation provides. You may have the right to hold your employer accountable, recover full damages, and secure the resources you need to rebuild your life.

At Nix Patterson, we focus exclusively on high-stakes workplace injury cases. We know Texas law. We understand how to challenge negligent employers, navigate complex litigation, and win when it matters most.

Your consultation is free. Your case is confidential. And you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Contact Nix Patterson today to learn more about your legal options and take the first step toward justice.