Work Injury Lawyer in Fort Worth

Workers’ Comp Claims & Personal Injury Lawsuits Since 1976

After a job injury, Fort Worth workers face two very different legal paths depending on whether their employer subscribes to the Texas workers’ compensation system. The path matters because the rights, benefits, and timelines differ significantly. At Law Office of James M. Stanley, we handle both workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits against non-subscribing employers and third parties, so you don’t need separate counsel depending on how your employer is classified.

We’ve been advocating for injured workers since 1976, representing thousands of clients in personal injury cases and workers’ compensation claims. Across all personal injury practice areas, we’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients. If you were hurt on the job, our attorneys are available 24/7 and consultations are free.

Call (817) 591-4222 to speak with a Fort Worth work injury attorney now. We’re available 24/7 and there’s no cost to get started.

How Texas Workplace Injury Law Works

Texas is the only state that doesn’t require most private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers who opt into the state system are called subscribers; those who opt out are non-subscribers. Which category your employer falls into shapes every aspect of your claim.

Subscriber Employers: Workers’ Comp Through the DWC

If your employer is a subscriber, your claim goes through the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). Workers’ comp is a no-fault system, meaning benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident. The tradeoff is that you generally can’t sue your employer directly. Benefits cover medical treatment, temporary income, impairment income, supplemental income, lifetime income in severe cases, and death benefits for surviving family members. Wage benefits are capped by statute and don’t include compensation for pain and suffering.

Non-Subscriber Employers: Personal Injury Lawsuit

When an employer opts out, you can file a personal injury lawsuit directly against them. Texas law removes several standard employer defenses in these cases: the employer can’t argue that you assumed the risk of the job or that a co-worker’s negligence caused the injury. This often strengthens the injured worker’s position considerably. A lawsuit may allow recovery of lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, diminished future earning capacity, and, in cases involving gross negligence, punitive damages.

Third-Party Claims

When a third party contributed to your injury, such as a contractor on a shared job site, an equipment manufacturer, or another driver during a work-related trip, you may be able to pursue workers’ compensation benefits and file a separate civil lawsuit against that third party. Texas modified comparative negligence rules apply to civil claims: your damages are reduced in proportion to your share of fault, and recovery is barred only if you’re found more than 50% at fault.

Common workplace injury categories we handle include construction accidents, heavy machinery accidents, falls from height, electrocution, chemical exposure, repetitive stress injuries, and transportation accidents that occur during work hours.

What to Do Immediately After a Job Accident in Fort Worth

Report your injury to your employer right away. Delay can damage your claim. Texas workers’ compensation rules require notification within 30 days of the injury and a formal DWC claim filed within one year. For personal injury lawsuits against a non-subscribing employer or a third party, the statute of limitations under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 is two years from the date of the accident.

Take these steps to protect your claim:

• Identify any witnesses who saw the accident happen.
• Write a detailed account of what occurred and how the injury happened.
• Attend all medical appointments and follow your physician’s instructions.

Don’t give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a Fort Worth job injury attorney. Adjusters are trained to use your words against your claim. Let us handle those communications from the start.

How Law Office of James M. Stanley Handles Work Injury Cases

We begin every case with a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties, including the employer, third-party contractors, and equipment manufacturers when a defective product contributed to the injury. From there, we manage all communications and negotiations with insurance carriers on your behalf, handle the paperwork for both workers’ compensation filings and civil litigation, and help connect you to quality medical care while your claim is pending.

When insurers won’t offer fair compensation, our litigators are prepared to take your case to court in Tarrant County. We handle work injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Free home and hospital visits are available if you can’t come to us.

Case Results for Seriously Injured Clients

The following results from our case history illustrate our ability to pursue significant compensation for clients with serious injuries. Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome in your case.

• $3,069,546.66 net to client in a catastrophic high-pressure water injury case involving a ruptured colon, infections, and multiple surgeries.
• $2,491,510.87 net to client in an electrocution case involving a defective product.
• $3,018,051.78 net to client in a catastrophic brain injury case arising from a motor vehicle accident.

Additional verdicts and settlements across our personal injury practice areas are documented on our case results page.

Talk to a Fort Worth Work Accident Attorney Today

A workplace injury creates financial pressure fast. Lost wages, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about returning to work pile up while you’re still recovering. We take the legal burden off your plate so you can focus on healing, with free consultations, 24/7 availability, and no upfront cost to get started.