$
0
Billion
Recovered in Verdicts and Settlements
Workplace injuries are a harsh reality across many industries, and for those who suffer life-altering harm, the path to recovery can be long, painful, and uncertain. Many injured employees believe workers’ compensation is their only avenue for financial support and medical care. But in some cases, that limited system is not the only option—or the right one.
If your injury resulted from unsafe working conditions, lack of proper safety measures, or other forms of employer negligence, you may have grounds for a lawsuit that goes far beyond what workers’ compensation can provide. Our lawyers at Nix Patterson do not process or handle workers’ comp claims. Instead, we represent people who have suffered severe, preventable injuries caused by an employer’s failure to provide a safe working environment.
We focus on helping individuals understand when an employer can be held legally accountable in civil court—and we fight to recover the full measure of compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
Negligence on the part of an employer can turn a manageable risk into a life-altering event. Understanding the legal foundation of employer responsibility is essential to recognizing when you may have a case.
Employers are legally required to provide a workplace that is reasonably free from known hazards. This includes compliance with regulations established by federal and state agencies such as OSHA, as well as adhering to basic safety principles: providing protective gear, training workers adequately, performing regular equipment maintenance, and responding to safety complaints.
When an employer fails in these duties—by ignoring warnings, cutting corners, or placing production quotas above employee safety—they may be liable for any injuries that occur as a result. In these situations, injured workers may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer.
At Nix Patterson, our lawyers know how to uncover patterns of misconduct that others miss. We conduct thorough investigations, gather records, consult experts, and build a clear case showing that your employer’s choices or inaction directly led to your injury. You are not expected to take on this burden alone—our team has the resources and litigation experience to do it for you.
Understanding how negligence leads to injury is essential in identifying whether you may have a legal claim. These causes often go beyond isolated mistakes and reflect systemic failures in workplace safety.
One of the most frequent causes of workplace injuries is a hazardous environment. Whether it’s slick floors in a factory, unstable scaffolding at a construction site, or exposed wiring in a warehouse, these conditions often go unaddressed until someone gets hurt. Our team investigates whether your employer failed to address known dangers or violated basic safety protocols.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict guidelines that employers must follow to minimize risks. These include regulations about machine guarding, chemical handling, fall prevention, and more. When companies skip required procedures or ignore safety audits, they place employees at serious risk. Our lawyers identify when these lapses occurred and show how they contributed to your injuries.
Employers must ensure that all employees receive appropriate safety training and are supervised properly, especially in high-risk roles involving heavy machinery or hazardous materials. If a worker is injured because they weren’t trained or monitored adequately, the employer may be held liable. Our attorneys help document this lack of preparation and connect it to the resulting harm.
When companies neglect to maintain tools, machinery, or vehicles, catastrophic injuries can result. We routinely uncover maintenance logs, repair records, and inspection histories to establish whether broken equipment contributed to your injury—and whether your employer knew about the risk and did nothing.
In some workplaces, employees are pushed to meet unrealistic quotas or endure long hours without proper rest. Fatigue, stress, and overexertion can cause accidents—especially in physically demanding jobs. Our firm understands how to expose these unsafe expectations as a form of systemic negligence.
Some jobs come with more obvious risks than others, but even in high-risk industries, safety is not optional. When employers fail to uphold basic safety standards, the consequences can be severe and far-reaching.
While serious injuries can happen in any workplace, certain industries have significantly higher risk. Oil and gas fields, construction sites, warehouses, agricultural settings, manufacturing plants, and logistics operations often involve fast-paced environments and dangerous equipment. In these sectors, even a single lapse in judgment or policy can lead to tragedy.
Unfortunately, safety shortcuts can become normalized in these industries. Some companies treat minor injuries as “part of the job” and only respond when something catastrophic occurs. Safety training may be seen as optional or delayed due to operational demands. When this culture of neglect leads to preventable harm, our lawyers step in to hold those employers accountable.
At Nix Patterson, we have handled cases in many of these high-risk industries. We understand the unique hazards present in oil refineries, construction zones, warehouses, and factory floors. Our legal team collaborates with industry experts, safety consultants, and engineers to build strong cases that highlight the employer’s liability and maximize your compensation.
When someone is seriously hurt on the job, it can affect every part of their life—from physical ability to emotional well-being and financial security. It’s important to understand what kinds of injuries rise to the level of potential legal action beyond workers’ comp.
Our firm focuses on serious, often catastrophic injuries that fundamentally alter your ability to live or work. These are not minor bruises or temporary sprains—they are permanent or long-lasting harms that require extensive treatment and impact your life in meaningful ways. Examples include:
These injuries often require surgery, physical therapy, assistive devices, or long-term in-home care. They also take an enormous toll on your mental health, family life, and financial security.
Our lawyers work with medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to evaluate the long-term impact of your injury. We account for all damages—past and future medical costs, lost income, diminished earning potential, pain and suffering, and more. This evidence-driven approach helps us fight for the compensation you are entitled to pursue under the law.
Many injured workers assume that filing for workers’ compensation is the only option available to them. However, if your injury was caused by employer negligence, a civil lawsuit may offer a broader path to justice.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You do not need to prove your employer did anything wrong, but you also cannot receive full compensation. Benefits are generally limited to medical bills and a portion of lost wages. Workers’ comp claims also bar you from suing your employer in most cases.
A civil lawsuit requires you to prove that your employer acted negligently. While that is a higher bar to meet, the rewards are also greater. You may be able to recover full damages for pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and punitive damages if your employer’s conduct was particularly egregious.
Our lawyers will investigate your case to determine whether you may qualify for a civil claim, and if so, we will build the strongest possible case for trial or settlement.
Taking immediate action after a workplace injury is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and your legal rights. In the aftermath of a serious accident, things can move quickly—and unfortunately, not always in your favor.
Employers and insurance companies often take steps to protect their own interests before you’ve had time to fully assess what happened. Preserving evidence and avoiding missteps early on can make a substantial difference in the outcome of your case.
Your health is the top priority. Even if your injuries seem manageable at first, complications can arise. Seeing a doctor right away ensures that injuries are properly diagnosed and treated. Just as important, it creates an official medical record that connects your injuries to the workplace incident.
Follow all medical advice and attend any recommended follow-ups. Delays in treatment or failure to follow instructions can be used against you later, even if your injuries are valid and severe.
If you are physically able to do so, gather as much documentation as possible. Take clear photos or videos of the location, equipment involved, and any visible hazards. This visual evidence can be critical in establishing the dangerous conditions that led to your injury.
Ask coworkers who witnessed the incident or know about prior complaints to provide written statements. These witness accounts may help demonstrate a pattern of negligence or a failure to respond to known dangers.
Make sure to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, and do so in writing. A verbal report is not enough. Provide specific details about what happened, when and where it occurred, and any contributing factors like defective machinery or lack of safety gear.
Keep a copy of your written report for your records. A time-stamped, detailed report is a powerful piece of evidence that can help establish the timeline and severity of the incident.
After a workplace injury, you may be asked to sign various documents such as incident reports, waivers, or early settlement offers. These forms are often designed to limit your legal options or lock you into low compensation before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
Never sign anything without having it reviewed by a qualified attorney. Quick settlements rarely reflect the true value of your claim, especially when long-term care, future surgeries, or permanent disability are involved.
Our lawyers at Nix Patterson are experienced in identifying when an injury was caused by employer negligence. We can help you understand whether you have a viable claim and what steps to take to protect your rights.
When you reach out to our firm, you won’t be pressured into making a decision. We provide clear, honest guidance based on decades of experience handling serious injury cases. Let us evaluate your situation and help you determine the best path forward.
At Nix Patterson, our lawyers are experienced in complex workplace injury litigation and understand how to uncover the truth behind employer negligence. We cover all litigation expenses upfront—including expert witnesses, investigations, and court fees—so you can focus on healing. You pay nothing out of pocket unless we win your case.
If you’ve suffered a serious injury and suspect your employer failed to protect you, contact us for a free and confidential consultation. Our legal team will listen to your story, assess whether you may have a viable claim, and explain your legal options clearly and honestly.
Ready to get started? Reach out today. Our lawyers are ready to help you take the next step toward justice and recovery.
Nix Patterson only works on a contingency fee basis. Our clients pay us nothing unless we win. Schedule a free consultation today. Call 512.328.5333 or complete the form below.
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The information on this site is for informational purposes only. Though it deals with legal issues, it should not be taken as legal advice for any specific case or situation. The law changes rapidly, and we make no warranty or guarantee about the accuracy or reliability of the content or links on this site. Every case and legal issue is different. Speak with a lawyer for specific advice.
This site is not intended to create, and viewing it does not create, an attorney-client relationship. The verdicts and settlements shown on this site are intended to be representative of cases Nix Patterson handles. These listings are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of any other cases or claim. Results in litigation can never be guaranteed.
La información contenida en este sitio tiene únicamente fines informativos. Aunque trata de cuestiones jurídicas, no debe tomarse como asesoramiento jurídico para ningún caso o situación específicos. La legislación cambia rápidamente y no garantizamos la exactitud o fiabilidad de los contenidos o enlaces de este sitio. Cada caso y asunto jurídico es diferente. Hable con un abogado para obtener asesoramiento específico.
Este sitio no pretende crear, y su consulta no crea, una relación abogado-cliente. Los veredictos y acuerdos mostrados en este sitio pretenden ser representativos de los casos que maneja Nix Patterson. Estos listados no son una garantía o predicción del resultado de cualquier otro caso o reclamación. Los resultados en litigios nunca pueden ser garantizados.