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Galveston Workplace Accident Lawyer

If you were injured while on the job in Galveston, TX, you might be entitled to money damages. Whether through a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, you deserve to get paid for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

A Galveston workplace accident lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your options. We have over 58 years of combined experience helping people injured at work. Since 2000, we have won over $500 million on behalf of our clients. We are double board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, an honor only a few attorneys receive. 

If you contact our law office at (409) 207-9299, you can schedule a free consultation with no strings attached. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about us and discuss your case without any added pressure.

How The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Workplace Accident in Galveston, TX

How The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Workplace Accident in Galveston, TX

The attorneys at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers will stand up to insurance providers and companies that try to get out of paying after a workplace accident. We aren’t afraid to do what is best for our clients and their case. 

Our personal injury law firm is consistently recognized for its high-quality work and dedication to clients. We have been named members of the Multi-Million Dollar and Million Dollar Advocates Forums and nine-time Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers. Our Galveston personal injury lawyers are also members of the:

  • American College of Trial Lawyers
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers
  • National Board of Trial Advocates
  • Texas Association of Civil Trial & Appellate Specialists

When you hire us to handle your workplace accident case in Galveston, Texas, we will:

  • Find out who is legally responsible 
  • Explain workers’ compensation law and find out if you are eligible
  • Keep track of deadlines and paperwork
  • Communicate with insurance on your behalf
  • Negotiate with insurance companies or your employer as necessary
  • File a personal injury lawsuit when allowable  

A workplace injury case can be complicated, but you don’t need to handle it on your own. Call our office to access the support and expertise that you need to recover compensation. 

Workplace Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

Workplace accidents can cause serious, even catastrophic, injuries. Especially dangerous jobs tend to result in the most serious injuries, but this is not always the case. Sometimes an injury happened unexpectedly in a job that was deemed low risk.

However, everyone deserves to be compensated when they are hurt at work. Luckily, we have seen almost every type of workplace injury. The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers knows how to help you recover money no matter the severity. 

In our experience, the most common workplace accident injuries include:

  • Brain injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Sprains, broken, and fractured bones
  • Back and neck injuries 
  • Repetitive injuries
  • Crush injuries and internal damage
  • Spinal cord injuries (including partial or total paralysis)
  • Severe burns, lacerations, and contusions
  • Amputations 

Many of our clients will fully recover from their injuries once they have the resources to seek treatment. However, some will never fully recover.

When a person dies while on the job, the surviving family members may have a wrongful death case. If you have a loved one who died because they were hurt while at work, call us immediately. These cases can be incredibly complex and almost always require a lawyer.

Common Causes of Workplace Accidents in Galveston

Some workplace accidents are entirely unexpected, while others are rather predictable. No two cases are the same. However, certain industries are more dangerous than others. In Galveston, some of the most dangerous professions include people working at:

  • Oil rigs and refineries 
  • Industrial plants
  • Construction sites
  • Maritime-based work
  • Railroad maintenance 
  • Manufacturing factories

There are common causes of workplace accidents that exist regardless of the industry. In our experience, this includes:

  • Improper or lack of safety equipment
  • Lack of safety training
  • Repetitive work 
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals
  • Lack of supervision 
  • Physically difficult work 
  • Defective machinery
  • Traffic accidents
  • Explosions or fires

If you aren’t sure why the accident happened, we can help you investigate the cause. This is important so that we understand who is responsible and how it happened. There may be a third party that shares responsibility with your employer. 

Your workplace accident lawyer should take the time to find out what happened so that you have the best shot at recovering the resources you need. Anything less is inadequate.

What Is the Value of My Galveston Workplace Accident Case?

The value of your workplace accident case will depend on the circumstances. If you are eligible for workers’ compensation, you may not recover as much money as you would through a personal injury lawsuit. That’s because you aren’t allowed to claim non-economic damages through a workers’ compensation claim.

The amount that you recover will depend on how the lawyer resolves your case. In general, you can expect to recover more money if you have permanent or severe injuries or are unable to work into the future. 

During your free consultation, we will discuss the value of your case so that you can get a better idea of what to expect.

Workers’ Compensation in Texas

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that many employers carry. It is governed by the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act. The purpose of workers’ compensation is to pay employees for their injuries and lost wages that happen after they get hurt on the job. 

The benefit of workers’ compensation is that it is a no-fault-based system. That means that even if you are responsible for contributing to or causing your accident, you can recover damages. It also means that the process is relatively quick compared to a lawsuit.

The downside of workers’ compensation is that you may not recover the same amount of money that you could get through a lawsuit. That’s because you can’t get non-economic damages, and you are only entitled to a percentage of your lost wages. 

If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you generally cannot file a lawsuit against them – barring a few exceptions. However, Texas is unique in that it does not require most employers to purchase workers’ comp insurance. 

If your employer decided to “opt-out,” you may be able to file a lawsuit against them. If there is a third party liable for your injuries other than your employer, you may also be able to pursue a claim against that person or entity – regardless of whether your employer has workers’ compensation insurance.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Workplace Accident in Galveston?

If you are filing a workers’ compensation claim, you might be able to recover damages for:

  • Medical bills 
  • Part of your average weekly wages up to 104 weeks during recovery
  • Partial or permanent impairment benefits after you reach maximum medical improvement
  • Supplemental income 
  • Lifetime income benefits in limited circumstances

If you can file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer or a third party, you can ask for more damages. This will include:

  • All medical bills, current and future
  • Lost wages
  • Lost future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
  • Loss of enjoyment of life 
  • Loss of companionship 
  • Out-of-pocket expenses 

You may also recover punitive damages (also called exemplary damages) in rare circumstances. This type of damages is meant to punish the defendant for their behavior rather than to compensate the plaintiff. To claim them, you must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with gross negligence, malice, or fraud.

What Happens if I Am Blamed for Causing My Workplace Accident in Texas?

If you are filing a workers’ compensation claim, it doesn’t matter if you are blamed for causing the accident. Since it is a no-fault-based system, you can recover the benefits even if you are completely at fault. This is a huge benefit of workers’ compensation law. 

If you are filing a personal injury lawsuit against your employer, you may still be allowed to recover damages under the modified comparative fault statute. That is, as long as you are less than 51% responsible. If you are 51% or more responsible, then you cannot recover anything.

If you are partially responsible, then you can only recover proportionate damages. 

For example, if the defendant is 75% responsible, and you are 25% responsible, you can only recover 75% of your total damages. That’s because your damages are reduced by your share of responsibility. 

If your employer or their insurance company is ever blaming you for causing the accident, you should speak with a lawyer. It’s best to mitigate blame early on in a case so that you don’t lose your right to recover damages. 

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim After a Workplace Accident in Texas?

If you are filing a workers’ compensation claim, you must report the injury to your employer within 30 days. After reporting the injury, you will go through a formal process where you submit a claim to the insurance company. Technically you have a year to file this claim, but it is better to do it sooner rather than later.

If you are filing a lawsuit, then the statute of limitations applies. The statute of limitations is two years from the date that you were hurt or discovered your injury. It may be tempting to wait until the last minute before filing, but this rarely helps your case. You might lose access to important evidence or risk missing the deadline altogether.

Call a Galveston Workplace Accident Lawyer To Set Up a Free Consultation

If you are ready to speak with a Galveston workplace accident lawyer, call The Law Offices of Alton C. Todd to set up a free consultation. We can discuss the details of your case, our law firm practices, and the best strategy going forward. It’s better to get legal advice early than to regret not getting it at all. 

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office In Galveston, TX

The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers

2101 Mechanic St #253
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 207-9299
Business Hours: Open 24 hours daily

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