Houston Workers' Compensation Lawyer

Texas is the only state where employers can opt out of workers' compensation. When a non-subscriber employer's negligence causes your injury, you can sue in civil court for full damages — without the caps that apply to comp claims.

Texas Non-Subscriber Employers

Under Texas Labor Code §406.002, employers can choose to opt out of workers' compensation. If your employer opted out and you were injured on the job, you may file a negligence lawsuit against them. Texas Labor Code §406.033 prohibits non-subscriber employers from using certain common law defenses (assumption of risk, fellow servant rule, contributory negligence) in these cases.

What You Can Recover in a Non-Subscriber Case

Workers' Compensation and Workplace Injury in Houston

Houston's construction boom, the ongoing expansion of warehouse and distribution centers, and the oil and gas industry create constant workplace injury risk. When you're hurt at work in Houston or Harris County—whether on a construction site, at a warehouse, at an industrial facility, or in any employment setting—you need to understand your rights and act quickly to protect your claim.

Texas workers' compensation law is complex and varies depending on whether your employer subscribes to the state system. If they do, you may be entitled to wage replacement benefits, medical treatment, and vocational rehabilitation. But the system is adversarial: insurers are incentivized to deny or minimize claims. If your employer is a non-subscriber (which many are in Texas), you may have the right to sue for full damages—which is often a much stronger position than filing a workers' comp claim.

Houston's growth corridors bring construction accidents daily. Warehouse accidents near Beltway 8, where Amazon and FedEx hubs operate, generate serious injury claims. Oil and gas worker injuries, whether on drilling sites or in refinery operations near Pasadena and Baytown, involve complex liability and regulatory issues. The construction boom means temporary workers, contractor misclassification, and disputes about coverage—all of which require specialized legal knowledge.

If you've been injured at work in Houston, don't file a claim without first understanding your options. Call CDF Law at (832) 945-1900 for a free consultation. We'll explain whether workers' comp or a personal injury lawsuit is right for you, and we'll fight aggressively to get you the compensation you deserve. We work on contingency—no fee unless we win.


Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About Houston Workers' Compensation Claims

My employer says I can't sue because of workers' comp — is that true? +
If your employer subscribes to Texas workers' comp, your remedy is typically limited to the comp system. However, if they opted out — or if a third party (like an equipment manufacturer) caused your injury — civil remedies may be available. CDF Law can determine which applies to your situation.
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