Austin Workplace Injury Lawyer

In an instant, a serious workplace injury can turn your life upside down. You’re left facing medical expenses, lost income, and an uncertain future. At Marc Chavez Law Firm, we know what you’re up against, and we’re here to fight for you. Any worker harmed due to negligence or unsafe workplace conditions should have access to a designated representative who can hold the responsible parties accountable.

With offices in Austin, we represent injured workers across Central Texas. Attorney Marc Chavez brings trial experience to your case, giving you the greatest possible advantage when it matters most. We offer free consultations, and we don’t get pad unless you win. If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t wait any longer. Contact Marc Chavez Law Firm at 512-337-9774 today to schedule your free case review, and let us help you get your life back.

Why Choose Marc Chavez Law Firm?

If you’re suffering from a workplace injury, it’s essential to have a trial-tested attorney who knows how to win. At Marc Chavez Law Firm, you can rest assured that we know how to get you results. Marc Chavez is a former assistant district attorney who worked in Lubbock and Travis counties, Texas. He tried the SXSW capital murder trial, and that kind of trial experience is what he brings to each and every injury claim.

At Marc Chavez Law Firm, we don’t have generic solutions. Each client has their own case strategy and receives direct communication and aggressive representation by a local attorney who’s familiar with Texas laws and the local judges. Marc Chavez is a Texas native who understands the struggles families across Central Texas are facing. For the past four years, he has been named a Super Lawyer, which honors the top 5% of Texas attorneys. 

What Is a Workplace Injury?

A workplace injury is any physical or mental injury that occurs during the course of your employment. You might qualify for compensation through workplace injury laws if you sustain harm while doing job duties at construction sites, offices, or warehouses. Workplace injuries can include sudden accidents, such as falling from a ladder, or more long-term injuries, such as back injuries from lifting heavy objects, or carpal tunnel from repetitive work.

Not all employers in Texas have workers’ compensation insurance, which can make an already difficult situation for an injured worker even more challenging. You may be struggling with lost wages, mounting medical expenses, and dealing with an insurance company that is ready and willing to deny your claim. This is when you need an Austin workplace injury lawyer from Marc Chavez Law Firm to advocate on your behalf. 

Types of Workplace Injuries We Handle

Workplace injuries can take many forms, and they aren’t always as visible as a broken bone. At Marc Chavez Law Firm, we’ve witnessed just how diverse work-related injuries can be, and how they can upend a life. If your injury occurred suddenly or over time, you have the right to understand your options. Understanding what qualifies as a workplace injury can help you in your next steps.

Construction Accidents

Construction sites are laden with dangers, including heavy equipment and vehicles, scaffolds and ladders, exposed wiring and rebar, and all manner of activities taking place at high altitudes. A single misstep or moment of negligence can result in catastrophic injuries, including:

• Head trauma
• Crushed limbs
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Death 

Many of these accidents involve third-party contractors, defective equipment, or unreasonably unsafe work site conditions. This typically means that more than one party may be legally liable for your injuries.

Slips and Falls

Falls are one of the most common ways people are injured on the job. If you slipped on a wet floor, tripped over loose cords, or fell off a ladder or scaffolding, you could be eligible for compensation. Even a minor fall can cause long-term pain, surgeries, or time off from work.

Heavy Lifting

Not all injuries occur in an instant. In fact, a lot of workers suffer serious medical conditions after months or years of repetitive movements or heavy lifting. These injuries can include:

• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Herniated discs
• Tendonitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

Unfortunately, these types of injuries often fall under the radar. They can often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Equipment Injuries

Machinery and tools, particularly when improperly maintained or operated unsafely, can inflict catastrophic injuries. Our experience includes cases with amputations, deep cuts, and crush injuries, among other incidents. If defective equipment or lack of proper safety training was a factor, you may have a claim in addition to workers’ comp.

Workplace Vehicle Accidents

Delivery drivers, bus drivers, forklift operators, and other employees who drive as part of their jobs face very real dangers on the road and job site. If you were hurt in a crash while working, you may be able to file both a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the circumstances.

Exposure to Toxins

If you have respiratory problems, skin conditions, or cancer due to long-term exposure to chemicals, mold, asbestos, or other toxins, your case can be complicated. You can obtain both justice and financial assistance when you hire Marc Chavez Law Firm.

Understanding Your Rights as an Injured Worker in Texas

If you’re hurt on the job in Texas, you have specific legal rights regardless of your industry or how the injury occurred. Texas laws are unique, and not all workers understand what they’re entitled to. At Marc Chavez Law Firm, we make sure our clients know their rights from day one, so they can make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. In Texas, injured workers have the right to:

• Report their injury without retaliation from their employer
• Seek medical treatment for injuries incurred at the workplace
• File a claim for compensation 
• Hire an attorney to understand all of their legal options
• Receive compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and future lost wages

Unlike most states, Texas does not require all employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance. Your rights and options will differ substantially based on whether your employer participates in the workers’ compensation system.

Workers’ Compensation Versus Lawsuits

If your employer has workers’ comp, you may be restricted to filing a claim through that system. In that case, you typically can’t sue your employer, even if they were negligent. Workers’ comp can offer limited medical benefits and wage replacement, but it usually doesn’t come close to fully compensating you for your losses.

However, if your employer doesn’t carry workers’ comp insurance, they’re called a non-subscriber, and that makes them subject to a lawsuit. When an employer is a non-subscriber, you can file a lawsuit to try to get full and fair compensation for pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and medical bills. 

Even if your employer has coverage, you might also have a claim against a third party, like a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, whose negligence contributed to your injury.

Who Is Liable for a Workplace Injury in Texas?

The most pressing question after a workplace injury is often who is legally responsible. Workers’ compensation liability becomes complex in Texas because numerous employers lack insurance coverage. At Marc Chavez Law Firm, we assist our clients in understanding liability and in identifying all of the parties that may be responsible for their injuries.

Employer Liability

If your employer is a non-subscriber (they do not provide workers’ comp), they can be held directly liable for your injury by means of a personal injury lawsuit. In that case, you will have to prove your employer’s negligence (such as improper training, lack of safety equipment, failure to follow regulations, etc.) was a cause of your injury. If you are successful in your lawsuit, you can recover a wider range of damages than you would be entitled to under workers’ comp.

If your employer provides workers’ comp, you are generally barred from suing your employer, even if they were negligent. However, workers’ comp may not provide full coverage, and that’s where third-party liability may come into play.

Third-Party Liability

In some instances, another party outside your employer may hold part or all the responsibility. This includes subcontractors, manufacturers, property owners, and even other drivers if you were involved in a crash while on the job. If a third party was responsible for your injury, you may have the right to pursue a legal claim in addition to workers’ compensation. 

Contact Marc Chavez Law Firm Today 

A workplace injury can make you injured, unemployed, and left without knowing whom you can trust, but you don’t have to face this alone. At Marc Chavez Law Firm, we put real trial experience and a deep understanding of the Texas legal system to work for every client we represent. 

Marc’s experience as a prosecutor means he is more prepared and strategic in the courtroom, and for four years in a row, he has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, based on his skill and dedication to his clients. We can fight to protect your rights and make sure your voice is heard, whether you’re facing a workers’ comp claim, a non-subscriber employer, or a third-party claim. Call Marc Chavez Law Firm at 512-337-9774 today to schedule your free consultation.