You Got Hurt Doing Your Job — Now They’re Making You Fight for Help

A work injury can take away your income, your health, and your peace of mind — while your employer or their insurer tries to delay or deny your claim. You don’t have to take it. We fight for injured workers — one case at a time.

Houston Work Injury Lawyer

A workplace injury can leave you facing serious pain, mounting medical bills, and time off work you can’t afford. In Houston’s high-risk industries like construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and transportation, even a single safety lapse can lead to life-altering consequences. From equipment malfunctions to exposure to hazardous materials, these accidents are often preventable—and employers or third parties may be held responsible.

At Abogada Kim Bruno, we help injured workers fight for the compensation they deserve. Whether your employer provides workers’ comp or not, we investigate the cause, gather evidence, and build a strong case. We handle injuries ranging from spinal trauma and burns to head injuries and repetitive stress damage. You shouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. Kim Bruno offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

When to Get a Lawyer for a Work Injury?

Injured at work and unsure what to do next? Getting a lawyer early can protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

Your Claim Is Denied

If your employer or their insurer rejects your claim or delays payment, legal help is essential.

Your Injury Is Serious or Permanent

For long-term disability, surgery, or loss of function, you need a lawyer to secure full compensation. 

You’re Being Pressured to Return Early

If your employer is pushing you to return before you're medically ready, a lawyer can step in.

Your Employer Doesn’t Have Workers’ Comp

In Houston, some employers opt out—an attorney can help you pursue a personal injury claim.

A Third Party May Be Liable

If someone other than your employer (like a contractor or equipment manufacturer) caused the injury, you may be entitled to more than workers’ comp.

You’re Not Sure About Your Rights

When you’re uncertain what benefits you qualify for or what steps to take, consult a lawyer early.

How Abogada Kim Bruno Can Help Injured Workers?

When you’re hurt at work, your health and your paycheck are on the line. Abogada Kim Bruno helps injured workers fight for compensation, whether through workers’ comp or a personal injury claim.

Helps you understand your rights after a workplace injury — including workers’ compensation and third-party lawsuits

Investigates accidents caused by unsafe conditions, faulty equipment, lack of training, or employer negligence 

Handles serious injuries such as falls, burns, crush injuries, back trauma, and repetitive stress conditions

Pursues compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, disability, rehabilitation, and future care needs

Fights for workers in construction, factories, warehouses, oilfields, and other high-risk industries

Identifies third parties (e.g., contractors, equipment manufacturers) who may be liable beyond your employer

Pushes back when employers or insurers deny claims or pressure you to return to work too soon

Provides clear legal guidance and regular updates throughout your case

Offers free consultations and charges nothing unless you receive compensation

What Should I Do After a Workplace Injury in Houston?

If you’ve been hurt on the job in Houston, acting quickly is critical to protecting your health and your legal rights. Whether you work in construction, oil and gas, healthcare, or another high-risk industry, your steps after a workplace accident can directly affect your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what to do after a work injury in Houston:

Report the Injury Immediately

Notify your supervisor or employer as soon as the injury occurs. Under Texas law, injured workers typically have 30 days to report a workplace injury, but it’s best to report it in writing right away.

Get Medical Attention

Even if the injury seems minor, seek medical care as soon as possible. Be sure to tell the doctor the injury happened at work—this creates a record that supports your claim. If your employer has workers’ comp, you may need to use an approved provider.

Document Everything

Take photos of the accident scene, defective equipment, or hazardous conditions. Save medical records, doctor’s notes, time-off slips, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses.

Identify Witnesses

If coworkers or others saw the incident, write down their names and contact information. Their statements could support your claim.

Avoid Signing Anything Without a Lawyer

Insurance companies or employers may try to get you to sign away your rights or accept a low settlement. Don’t sign forms or give recorded statements until you’ve spoken with a Houston workplace injury attorney.

Contact Kim Bruno, a Trusted Work Injury Lawyer in Houston

At Abogada Kim Bruno, we help injured workers across Houston understand their rights and fight for fair compensation, especially when employers lack workers’ comp coverage or try to deny responsibility. From filing claims to holding negligent parties accountable, we’re here to protect you every step of the way.

With Kim Bruno, you’re not just a case number, you’re family.

Can I Sue My Employer For a Work Injury

Yes, in certain cases you can sue your employer for a work injury — but it depends on whether they carry workers’ compensation insurance and how the injury occurred.

If your employer doesn’t carry workers’ compensation

You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit for negligence. This means you can potentially recover all your damages, including pain and suffering.

If your employer does have workers’ comp

In most cases, you can’t sue them directly — but you can still claim benefits. However, you may be able to sue a third party (like a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner) if they contributed to your injury.

If gross negligence was involved

In rare cases, such as when your employer’s reckless actions led to a fatality, surviving family members may sue for wrongful death.

Texas law (under Chapter 406 of the Texas Labor Code) places strict liability on non-subscriber employers for workplace injuries, even if the worker is partially at fault. If you’re unsure whether your employer has coverage or is being denied fair treatment, speak to Houston work injury attorney Kim Bruno. We can investigate your case, determine liability, and help you pursue every dollar you’re owed.

Workplace Injury Laws in Houston

Unlike other states, Texas does not require all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This means that if your employer is a non-subscriber, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve.

The Texas Workers’ Compensation Act governs the process for injured employees whose employers do provide coverage, outlining medical benefits, income replacement, and procedures for filing a claim. However, if your employer opted out of coverage, they may still be held liable under Texas personal injury law if their negligence caused your injury.

In addition, all Houston employers are required to follow OSHA safety standards, which are designed to protect workers from preventable hazards. Employees are also protected by Texas Labor Code § 451.001, which prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for reporting injuries or filing claims.

At Abogada Kim Bruno, we help injured workers understand their rights and determine the best legal path forward, whether through workers’ comp, a non-subscriber claim, or a third-party lawsuit. If you were hurt on the job in Houston, contact our workplace injury lawyer today for a free consultation.

Most Common Types of Workplace Accidents in Houston

Workplace injuries can happen in an instant, and often, they’re completely preventable. Whether it’s due to a lack of training, unsafe equipment, or ignored safety protocols, the consequences can be severe. Here are some of the most common types of work-related accidents we see in Houston:

Slip and Fall Accidents
Wet floors, loose wiring, poor lighting, and uneven surfaces are leading causes of slip and fall injuries, especially in warehouses, restaurants, and construction zones.

Falling from Heights
Workers on ladders, scaffolds, or roofs may suffer serious or fatal injuries if proper fall protection isn’t used on active job sites.

Electrocution
Exposure to live wires or faulty electrical systems can cause burns, cardiac arrest, or fatal shocks in hazardous work environments.

Machinery-Related Injuries
Employees working with heavy machinery can suffer serious injuries due to a lack of training, missing safety guards, or defective equipment. These cases may also involve product liability if a malfunctioning machine contributed to the injury.

Struck by Falling Objects
On construction sites or in stockrooms, falling tools, equipment, or materials can cause head injuries, fractures, or worse, especially when safety protocols are ignored.

Vehicle Accidents on the Job
Workplace vehicle collisions, whether with forklifts, delivery trucks, or construction vehicles, are common in industrial settings and often result in catastrophic injuries.

Toxic Exposure and Chemical Burns
Without proper handling, storage, or ventilation, workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals or toxic fumes, leading to burns, respiratory issues, or long-term illness.

Most Common Workplace Injuries in Houston, TX

Workplace injuries can vary from minor sprains to life-altering trauma. In Houston’s high-risk industries like construction, warehousing, oil and gas, and manufacturing, serious on-the-job injuries are unfortunately common. If you’ve been hurt at work, it’s important to know what types of injuries often lead to legal claims under Texas law. Here are some of the most common workplace injuries we handle at Abogada Kim Bruno:

Back and Neck Injuries

These are frequently caused by lifting heavy objects, repetitive strain, or falls. Back and neck injuries can lead to chronic pain and lost mobility, especially in physically demanding jobs.

Burn Injuries

Exposure to chemicals, electrical hazards, or open flames—common in Houston's refineries and plants—can lead to first, second, or third-degree burns.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Whether due to slips and falls, falling equipment, or being struck by heavy machinery, bone fractures are among the top workplace injuries in Houston’s industrial environments.

Amputation and Crush Injuries

These devastating injuries often result from defective, unguarded, or malfunctioning machinery in construction zones and manufacturing plants.

Knee Injuries

Warehouse workers, delivery drivers, and construction workers often suffer from knee injuries caused by awkward movements, repetitive stress, or impact with hard surfaces.

Respiratory Illnesses

Inhaling toxic fumes, dust, or industrial chemicals can lead to chronic breathing problems, asthma, or long-term lung damage.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or elevated platforms can result in spinal trauma, sometimes causing partial or full paralysis.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Head injuries from falling objects or violent impacts can result in concussions, memory loss, or even permanent cognitive impairment.

Herniated Discs

A common result of lifting injuries or prolonged strain, herniated discs can cause intense back pain, numbness, and require long-term treatment or surgery.

How Do I File a Third-Party Work Injury Claim in Houston?

If you were hurt at work due to the negligence of someone other than your employer, such as a contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or driver you may be entitled to compensation through a third-party personal injury claim. Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, this process involves filing a civil claim rather than submitting paperwork to a government agency. Here’s how to pursue a third-party work injury claim in Houston:

Speak With a Houston Work Injury Attorney

Start by contacting Attorney Kim Bruno, who handles complex workplace injury cases across Houston, Texas. We’ll evaluate whether a third party (not your employer) contributed to your injury and determine the best legal path forward.

Investigation & Evidence Collection

Kim Bruno and her legal team will investigate the accident, gather critical evidence (photos, witness statements, medical reports), and identify all liable parties—whether it's a subcontractor, delivery driver, or equipment provider.

Filing the Injury Claim

Instead of filing a DWC Form-041 like you would for workers’ comp, we will file a personal injury claim directly against the negligent party or their insurance company. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’ll file a lawsuit in Texas civil court.

Negotiation or Trial

Most cases are resolved through strong negotiation, but if the third party refuses to take responsibility, Kim Bruno is prepared to take your case to trial to pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Why a Personal Injury Claim May Be Better Than Workers' Comp?

Workers’ compensation helps, but it doesn’t always cover the full cost of your injury. In many cases, a personal injury claim can offer more — and hold the right people accountable.

Full Compensation for Damages

Workers’ comp only covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages. A personal injury claim can cover 100% of lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and more.

Punitive Damages Are Possible

In a personal injury lawsuit, if the employer or a third party acted with gross negligence or recklessness, you may be awarded punitive damages, which aren’t available under workers’ comp.

Accountability for Negligence

Workers’ comp doesn’t require proving fault—but it also doesn’t punish unsafe practices. A personal injury claim holds negligent parties accountable and encourages safer work environments.

Broader Scope of Liability

If a third party (e.g., subcontractor, manufacturer, property owner) caused your injury, a personal injury claim allows you to sue them directly for full damages—something workers’ comp doesn’t permit.