SKILLED, RELIABLE, AND EXPERIENCED BAYTOWN WORK INJURY LAWYER
We Fight for the Rights of Injured Baytown Workers
You expect to perform your duties and return home safely after work, but things don’t always happen this way. An accident might lead to an injury that keeps you away from work for a long time. It could also result in a disability, making it hard for you to return to your job or seek gainful employment elsewhere.
So, what do you do? You can seek compensation for the injuries suffered. However, the road to compensation is fraught with difficulties, and your employer and their insurance company might be unwilling to pay you. This is why you should not handle your case by yourself.
Our Baytown work injury lawyer at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can help you fight for compensation and ensure you get what you deserve. We have a successful track record representing injured Baytown workers and have secured favorable outcomes. We will help you examine your case and create a winning strategy.
We will also explain your rights and what you can expect from the claims process. Our initial consultations are free, so call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to learn more about how we can help you.
Why Choose Our Baytown Work Injury Attorney?
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we have in-depth knowledge of Texas’s laws, regulations, and court systems. We are familiar with workplace injuries, from construction site accidents to industrial incidents. We have represented work injury victims since 1985, and we know how to build a strong case, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies.
Our attorneys will protect your interests and rights and ensure your compensation covers all your damages. We know how to deal with insurance adjusters who may want to limit your settlement, and we will ensure you do not receive meager compensation. We are here for you, whether you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Also, we have excellent client testimonials, with a 98% online rating, so you can be confident that your case is in capable hands. We are the ones to call if you want a legal team that is unafraid to go against your employer and their insurance company. Contact us now to get started.
We will work hard to get you a favorable outcome so you can return to your job and life, and we will protect you from employer retaliation.
Common Causes of the Work Injury Claims We Handle
Here are some common causes of work injury claims we handle:
Slip and Fall Accidents
This is often due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or lack of proper signage at the workplace. Slip and fall accidents can lead to fractures and other injuries. They are not among the leading causes of fatal occupational injuries but they do lead to lost days from work.
Repetitive Tasks
Repetitive tasks, often in jobs that involve typing, assembly line work, or manual labor, cause repetitive stress injuries (RSIs). An RSI can cause muscle, nerves, and tendon pain and is more common in the elbows, forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers.
Machinery Accidents
Machinery accidents occur when employees fail to use machinery properly or lack proper training. They could also result from parts malfunction, in which case the manufacturer or assembler might be liable.
Vehicle Accidents
Delivery or construction workers are more likely to get into car accidents, but they can involve anyone whose job includes use of a vehicle. In such instances, you can file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation and get economic and non-economic damages.
Chemical Exposure
Chemical exposure results from improper handling or spills of hazardous materials. It can cause short- or long-term health problems, including eye irritation, poisoning, cancer, organ damage, and weakening of the immune system.
In addition to the above, we also handle cases resulting from overexertion, electrical accidents, and fires and explosions. Irrespective of what led to your work injury, we will handle your case based on its uniqueness and gather the relevant evidence to increase your chances of fair compensation.
Common Workplace Injuries
There are different injuries workers sustain in the course of their job, and they include the following:
- Overexertion and repetitive strain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns (thermal, chemical, or electrical)
- Fractures and broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss
- Crushing injuries
- Concussions and head injuries
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments
- Back and neck injuries
- Amputations
- Respiratory illnesses (e.g., from inhaling toxic fumes or dust).
Our work injury lawyers in Baytown handle cases involving these injuries and know what is needed to connect them to workplace accidents.
What Should You Do After a Work Injury in Baytown, Texas?
After a work injury in Baytown, Texas, there are essential steps to follow to protect your health, legal rights, and compensation. We recommend doing the following:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health should always be a priority. Even if your injury appears minor, you should still get medical help. In the case of a severe accident, call 911 or, if you can, take yourself to the emergency room. However, note that if your employer has an approved doctor under their workers’ compensation coverage, they will handle your treatment.
Notify Your Employer
Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after the incident. Failure to report within this time can jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim if you intend to file one. Provide details like the date, time, and how the injury occurred. If your injury keeps you from making the report yourself, have a colleague or family member help you, and the report must be in writing.
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we have the resources and access to experts to prove your claim and ensure you get your benefits under workers’ compensation or a fair verdict if you file a lawsuit.
Document Everything
Whether you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, you need evidence. Maintain a detailed record of the injury, what caused it, and any communication with your employer, doctors, and insurance companies. Take pictures of the injury and keep any other evidence supporting your claim. Also, record all doctor visits, treatments, and expenses.
Consult Our Baytown, Texas, Work Injury Lawyers
Employers and insurance companies run for-profit businesses and are always looking to cut costs. This is why there are many cases of denied claims, even valid ones. Having legal representation means you don’t have to be the one to deal with your employer and their insurer. We will handle all communication and negotiations and will not give up till we get a favorable outcome.
Who Pays Compensation After a Work Injury?
After a work injury, there are different options for compensation. The one you choose will depend on your case facts, and we can guide you to make an informed decision. The following are the different options available to you:
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
In Texas, workers’ compensation insurance is not compulsory for all employers. If your employer has workers’ compensation coverage, their insurance company will pay you benefits. The latter includes:
- Medical Benefits: This covers the cost of treatment for work-related injuries.
- Income Benefits: This is a partial wage replacement if you cannot work due to the injury. It also compensates for any disability — permanent or temporary — resulting from your injury.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: If you cannot return to the job you had or have to transition into another role in the same company, you can get vocational rehabilitation benefits.
- Death Benefits: When injured workers die, their legal beneficiaries will receive benefits, usually covering their funeral and burial expenses.
Most employers buy workers’ compensation because it keeps them from being sued by employees, as workers’ comp is not fault-based. However, if your employer lacks this coverage, you have another option.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
If your employer lacks workers’ compensation insurance and is not self-insured, you can still hold them liable for your injuries in a personal injury lawsuit. However, personal injury cases are fault-based, and you must establish that your employer was negligent to receive compensation. This involves showing that your employer owed you a duty of care, which they breached, and the breach caused your injuries, for which you deserve compensation.
If you win your personal injury case, you may receive the following compensation:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress/mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium.
A personal injury action allows you to recover non-economic damages you will not get with workers’ compensation. Also, aside from your employer, third parties like manufacturers, an employee, and another driver on the road can be sued for your work injury.
Baytown Work Injury Lawyer FAQs
Dealing with a work injury is a lot, and you’ll undoubtedly have questions. At our firm, we will answer all your questions and provide the guidance you need. Below are some of the questions we get frequently.
How Do I Prove My Employer’s Liability in a Work Injury Case?
You need to show that your employer owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries. Evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, and expert testimony can help establish liability.
How Long Do I Have to File a Work Injury Claim In Baytown, Texas?
If you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit, you must typically take action two years from the accident date. If it is a workers’ compensation claim, you have one year to file a claim with the Texas Department of Insurance. (*Always speak direclty to an attorney as soon as possible to obtain the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.)
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Yes. Texas follows a comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation if you are less than 51% at fault for the accident. Your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation. This only applies to personal injury lawsuits and not workers’ compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Work Injury Attorney in Baytown?
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. The fee is a percentage of your compensation, typically 33 1/3% to 40%.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You
Retaining our services takes you one step closer to getting maximum compensation or all your benefits. We will do the following for you:
- Offer free initial legal consultation and case assessment
- Investigate your case and collect evidence
- Handle filing of paperwork in court
- Negotiate with insurance companies and represent you in court
- Liaise with medical experts and other witnesses needed to prove your case.
We are always available to attend to you and regularly update you about the progress of your case.
Book a Free Consultation With Our Baytown Work Injury Attorneys
You don’t have to deal with your work injury case alone. Our Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law team can adequately represent you and will give 110% to get you the best possible outcome. Call us now at (713) 973-8888 for a free and confidential work injury consultation.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]