Austin Workplace Accident Lawyers
Fighting for Those Who Have Been Injured at Work in Texas
When a workplace injury disrupts your life, leaving you with physical pain, mounting medical bills, and lost income, the legal path to recovery can feel overwhelming. At Briggle & Polan, PLLC, our experienced Austin workplace accident attorneys understand what you’re going through. We are committed to helping you navigate Texas workplace injury laws while pursuing the full compensation you deserve.
If you were injured on the job and need help bringing a claim, whether it’s a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party injury lawsuit, contact Briggle & Polan, PLLC. Our Austin workplace accident attorneys have successfully recovered millions for our clients; let us fight for the fair recovery you are owed.
Contact us today at (512) 400-3278 to speak to a workplace accident lawyer in Austin about your case. We are available 24/7 and, if you are unable to come to our office, we can come to you.
Critical Legal Deadlines You Must Know
Missing a critical deadline can permanently bar your right to compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be. This is why it’s crucial to consult with an attorney immediately after your injury.
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Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file a workplace injury lawsuit. For occupational diseases or injuries that develop over time, the clock may start when you discover the injury or reasonably should have discovered it.
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Workers’ Compensation Deadlines: If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days and file your claim with the Texas Department of Insurance within one year of the injury date.
Your Rights as an Injured Worker in Texas
As an injured worker in Texas, you have specific rights regardless of your employer's insurance status. Understanding these rights is crucial for protecting yourself and your family’s financial future.
Your fundamental rights include:
- Safe Working Conditions: Your employer must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards.
- Proper Training: You have the right to be trained in workplace safety in a language you understand.
- Safety Equipment: Your employer must provide required protective gear and equipment.
- Medical Treatment: You have the right to seek medical care for work-related injuries.
- Protection from Retaliation: Your employer cannot fire or punish you for reporting an injury or filing a claim.
Two Paths to Compensation in Texas
Texas is unique because private employers are not required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, creating two distinct legal pathways for injured workers.
Path 1: Workers’ Compensation Claims
If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you can file a claim for benefits that typically include:
- Medical expenses coverage
- Partial wage replacement (usually 66⅔% of your average weekly wage)
- Disability benefits for permanent impairments
The Process: You must file Form DWC 041 with the Texas Department of Insurance: Division of Workers' Compensation. Workers' comp is designed to provide prompt benefits, but it limits your ability to sue your employer for negligence.
Path 2: Non-Subscriber Lawsuits (Often More Valuable)
If your employer has not subscribed to workers’ compensation coverage, you can sue them and seek full compensation. This path often provides significantly higher compensation because:
- No Damage Caps: Unlike workers’ comp, there is no limit on what you can recover.
- Full Wage Replacement: You can recover 100% of your lost wages, not just partial benefits.
- Pain and Suffering: You can claim compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, additional damages may apply to punish the employer.
Non-subscriber employers lose key legal defenses and have no immunity against most employee injury lawsuits, making these cases often more favorable for injured workers.
Immediate Steps After a Workplace Injury
Taking the right steps immediately after your injury can protect your health, your job, and your legal rights.
- Get medical attention: Seek immediate medical care, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Report the injury: Notify your supervisor or employer immediately, preferably in writing.
- Document everything: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any dangerous conditions. Get contact information from witnesses. Keep all medical records, bills, and communications with your employer and insurance companies.
- Determine your employer’s insurance status: Find out if your employer has workers’ compensation coverage by checking your employee handbook or calling the Texas Workforce Commission at 1-800-558-7492.
- Be cautious with statements: Insurance representatives may contact you quickly, asking for recorded statements. Be careful—anything you say can be used to minimize your claim.
- Consult with an attorney: Contact an experienced workplace injury attorney as soon as possible.
For detailed guidance on each step, read our article on what to do after a work injury.
Why You Need an Austin Workplace Accident Attorney
Insurance companies use specific tactics to minimize payouts to injured workers. Without experienced legal representation, you may fall victim to these tactics and risk undervaluing your claim.
Common Insurance Company Tactics:
- Rushing You to Settle: They may make quick, lowball settlement offers before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
- Recorded Statements: They use your words against you to claim your injuries are less severe than they are.
- Surveillance: They may follow you to find evidence that contradicts your injury claims.
- Delaying Tactics: They drag out the process hoping you’ll accept less compensation due to financial pressure.
How Our Austin Workplace Injury Attorneys Protect You:
- Thorough Case Investigation: We gather all evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts to build your strongest case.
- Accurate Claim Valuation: We calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity.
- Insurance Company Communications: We handle all communications so nothing you say can be twisted against you.
- Maximizing Your Recovery: Our goal is to secure the highest possible compensation for your specific situation.
Common Workplace Accidents & Employer Liability
Employers can be held responsible for injuries caused by their negligence, including:
- Inadequate Safety Training: Failing to properly train employees on equipment and safety procedures.
- Unsafe Working Conditions: Ignoring known hazards or OSHA violations.
- Defective Equipment: Providing faulty tools or machinery without proper maintenance.
- Insufficient Staffing: Not providing adequate personnel for dangerous tasks.
- Failure to Follow Safety Regulations: Violating federal or state workplace safety standards.
We have experience handling cases involving a wide range of common injuries, from construction accidents and oilfield accidents to falls and exposure to harmful substances.
Comprehensive Compensation for Your Losses
Workplace injuries can result in significant financial and personal losses. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- All medical expenses, including ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
Find out how to obtain compensation for your workplace injury in our article.
Why Choose Briggle & Polan, PLLC?
When selecting an Austin workplace accident attorney, you need proven trial lawyers who insurance companies take seriously. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Trial-Tested Advocacy That Gets Results: Our founding partners, Hayden Briggle and Parker Polan, are experienced trial attorneys fully prepared to take your case to court. Insurance companies know we mean business—leading to maximum recoveries for our clients.
- Proven Track Record of Success: We've secured millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for injured workers, including notable recoveries like $1,800,000 for a delivery truck accident and $1,531,710 for a work accident causing brain injury.
- Personalized, Client-Focused Care: You'll work directly with our Austin workplace injury attorneys—never passed off to an assistant or paralegal. We provide dedicated, one-on-one attention and are available 24/7.
- No Financial Risk to You: We operate on a strict contingency fee basis: "If We Don't Win, You Won't Pay." We front all case preparation costs, ensuring no financial barriers prevent you from pursuing the compensation you deserve.
- Award-Winning Legal Excellence: Both Hayden Briggle and Parker Polan consistently earn prestigious recognitions, including Super Lawyers® (Top 5% of Texas attorneys), National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Avvo 10.0 Ratings.
Who is Liable for On-the-Job Injuries?
Employers can be held liable for accidents and injuries that were caused by:
- Failure to provide adequate manpower to complete tasks
- Failure to warn of potentially dangerous situations
- Failure to provide safety tools and machinery
- Failure to properly train employees
Take Action Today: Contact Our Austin Workplace Accident Lawyers
At Briggle & Polan, PLLC, all of our legal efforts focus on providing representation to persons who were wrongfully or unnecessarily harmed in any way. Many of these individuals are the victims of personal injury accidents that occurred while working on the job. At our office, our mission is to help clients take justice back—and it is exactly this mission that has earned us accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and recognition from Texas Watch. In all scenarios of injury accidents, we are prepared to offer our legal advice and skills to those in need.
For a free consultation with an Austin work accident attorney, call our office at (512) 400-3278 or fill out the contact form on our site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hear From Our Clients
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I highly recommend Briggle & Polan, PLLC.
“If you are looking for excellent and honest attorneys, call them. You will not be disappointed.”
- Paige -
Parker and Hayden were positive, energetic, and did everything in their power to help me.
“I would definitely recommend them to anyone that needs help with their case.”
- Matt -
Thank you, Briggle & Polan.
“I very much appreciate all their hard work and will be happy to refer to them should the need come up for friends and acquaintances.”
- Sandi -
They got me the help I? needed within a few days of hiring them.
“My settlement was awesome and I got everything I needed to get back on my feet”
- Karina -
These guys really helped me when no one else would.
“They really fought for me and their paralegals were the best. They were constantly in communication with me and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a lawyer.”
- Lauren
We've Recovered Millions
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1,800,000.00 Delivery Truck Accident
Our client was t-boned by a large package delivery truck that was traveling in excess of 70 mph. He sustained a severe neck injury that required spinal surgery. Our firm recovered $1,800,000 on behalf of our client.
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$350 Thousand Company Truck Collision
Our client was struck by a company truck that ran a red light at a busy intersection. *Net to client was $166,651.36.
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400,000.00 Company Truck Wreck
Our client was traveling down a residential street when a company truck backed out of a driveway into the side of her vehicle. *Net to client was $110,000.
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$100 Thousand DWI Wreck Resolved
Our client was struck by a drunk driver in Round Rock, Texas. *Net to client was $51,113.04.
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$115 Thousand Distracted Driver Caused Collision
A distracted driver failed to yield the right of way to our client, causing a collision. *Net to client was $25,035.44.
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$132 Thousand Distracted Driver
Our client was the passenger in a vehicle struck by a distracted motorist who failed to yield the right of way at an intersection. *Net to client was $33,250.59.
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$112.5 Thousand Truck Crash Into Building
A company driver lost control of his vehicle and smashed into a convenience store, injuring our client in the process. *Net to client was $30,259.56.
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$82 Thousand T-Bone Collision
Our client had to be airlifted to the hospital as a result of a t-bone collision. *Net proceeds to client were $23,914.57.
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$85 Thousand T-Bone Collision Resolved
Our client was t-boned by a distracted driver who ran a stop sign and required surgery for injuries sustained. *Attorney fees and expenses totaled $30,267.51.
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$225 Thousand Collision With A Distracted Driver Operating An 18-Wheeler
Our client severely injured her back in the wreck and the driver did not have the required commercial driver's license needed to operate the truck. *Net proceeds to client were $89,737.54.
