Workers' Comp Isn't Always Enough — You May Have More Options
When you're hurt at work, your first instinct may be to file a workers' compensation claim. But in Texas, workers' comp is optional for employers — meaning your employer may not carry it at all. And even when they do, workers' comp pays only a fraction of your actual losses.
More importantly, if a third party — a contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or another driver on the jobsite — contributed to your injury, you may have a separate personal injury claim that can recover significantly more than any workers' comp benefit.
George Oginni investigates who was truly responsible for your injury and pursues every avenue of recovery available under Texas law.
Common Workplace Injuries We Handle
Falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and open floors — the leading cause of construction fatalities.
Crushings, amputations, and entanglements caused by unguarded or malfunctioning equipment.
Refineries and plants expose workers to dangerous substances — often without adequate protection.
Electrocution and electrical burns from exposed wiring, faulty equipment, or unsafe job sites.
Falling objects, swinging equipment, and moving vehicles on crowded job sites cause severe injuries.
Unsupported trenches can collapse in seconds — burying workers and causing fatal crush injuries.
Heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and physically demanding conditions cause long-term disability.
Forklifts, trucks, and heavy equipment operating near workers create serious collision risks.
What Damages Can You Recover?
A third-party personal injury claim goes far beyond what workers' comp provides:
- Full medical bills — past and future
- 100% of lost wages (not the 70% workers' comp pays)
- Future lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Assistive devices and home modification
- In-home care costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
What to Do After a Workplace Injury
Most workers' comp claims require timely notice to the employer. Don't delay — even if you feel pressure not to report.
Don't only rely on a company doctor. See an independent physician and document your injuries thoroughly.
Worksites get cleaned up and modified quickly after accidents. Get photos and video immediately if possible.
Get names and contact information from coworkers and anyone else who saw what happened.
Some employers pressure injured workers to sign documents waiving rights. Call George before signing anything.
Early legal involvement protects your rights and ensures evidence is preserved. The consultation is free.
Texas Workplace Injury Law: What You Need to Know
Texas is the only state that does not require employers to carry workers' compensation insurance. If your employer is a "non-subscriber," you may sue them directly in civil court — and the legal protections that normally favor employers (like the fellow-servant rule) don't apply. This can result in significantly higher recoveries.
Texas personal injury claims — including third-party workplace injury claims — must be filed within 2 years of the injury date. Workers' comp claims have different, often shorter deadlines. Don't wait.