Personal injury lawyers<\/a> in Texas handle workplace injury cases under a system unlike any other in the country, because Texas Labor Code \u00a7 406.002 makes workers’ compensation coverage optional for most private employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEmployers who carry workers’ comp are called “subscribers.” Those who choose not to carry it are called “non-subscribers.” Approximately 72% of Texas employers choose to carry workers’ compensation insurance, while 28% operate as non-subscribers outside the system. That means roughly one in four employers in Texas, including some in Bridgeport and Wise County, may have no workers’ comp coverage at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why does this matter to you? Because your legal path after a workplace injury depends entirely on which category your employer falls into. If your employer is a subscriber, your claim generally goes through the workers’ comp system. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may have the right to file a direct negligence lawsuit against them in civil court, and that opens the door to a much wider range of damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can check your employer’s coverage status through the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) online portal. If you are unsure of your employer’s status, call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 and we can help you find out quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Texas Law Says When Your Employer Does Not Carry Workers’ Compensation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When your employer is a non-subscriber, Texas Labor Code \u00a7 406.033 gives you powerful legal advantages in a negligence lawsuit. Under that statute, a non-subscribing employer cannot use three of the most common defenses that employers typically rely on to defeat injury claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specifically, Texas Labor Code \u00a7 406.033(a) states that in an action against a non-subscriber employer, it is not a defense that the employee was guilty of contributory negligence, that the employee assumed the risk of injury, or that the injury was caused by the negligence of a fellow employee. These are defenses that subscribing employers can use in some circumstances, but non-subscribers lose them entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does that mean for your case? It means the burden on you is reduced. Under \u00a7 406.033(d), you must still prove that your employer or the employer’s agent was negligent. But you do not have to overcome arguments that you were partly to blame or that you accepted the risk of getting hurt just by showing up to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A non-subscriber employer can only defend the action by showing the injury was caused by an act the employee intended to bring about, or that the employee was intoxicated at the time of the injury. Outside of those two defenses, the employer’s options are limited. This is a significant advantage for injured workers, and it is one reason why non-subscriber cases in Texas can result in substantially higher recoveries than traditional workers’ comp claims. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in your case, as each matter depends on its own facts and applicable law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common Workplace Injuries in Bridgeport and Wise County<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bridgeport sits at the heart of Wise County’s industrial and agricultural economy. The area has active oil and gas operations, construction projects, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural worksites, all of which carry serious injury risks for workers every day. The stretch of US-380 and SH-114 that runs through the region sees constant commercial traffic tied to these industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Falls remain the leading cause of serious workplace injuries across Texas and the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers reported 2.5 million injury and illness cases in private industry in 2024, down 3.1 percent from 2023. Even with that slight decline, the numbers remain staggering, and Texas consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of fatal occupational injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Bridgeport specifically, workers face risks tied to oil rig and drilling operations, heavy construction along expanding roadways, warehouse and distribution work, and agricultural equipment. Injuries in these environments can include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, crush injuries, burns, spinal cord damage, and amputations. Workers hurt on oil rigs or drilling sites may also have claims under federal law, including the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) in certain offshore or maritime-adjacent contexts, which under 33 U.S.C. \u00a7 905 creates specific frameworks for third-party liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you were hurt at a Bridgeport worksite, a construction site near Lake Bridgeport, or at an industrial facility in the area, the type of injury you suffered and the identity of every party responsible both matter. Sometimes a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or a property owner, shares liability even when your employer is the primary responsible party. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys will examine every angle of your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your Rights Under OSHA and How Violations Strengthen Your Claim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards across the United States. OSHA requires employers to maintain workplaces free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause serious harm or death. Employers covered by OSHA are required to report workplace fatalities to the agency within 8 hours of the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When an employer violates an OSHA standard and that violation causes your injury, the violation is powerful evidence of negligence. OSHA’s most frequently cited violations in fiscal year 2024 included fall protection failures, hazard communication deficiencies, and lockout\/tagout failures on hazardous energy sources. These are exactly the types of conditions that lead to the most serious workplace injuries in Bridgeport’s industrial sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under federal recordkeeping rules, employers are required to electronically submit injury and illness data to OSHA. This means there is often a paper trail documenting unsafe conditions at your worksite. Your attorney can use OSHA inspection records, violation citations, and injury logs as evidence in your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also worth noting that OSHA enforcement has faced resource constraints in recent years. Although most employers have the legal responsibility to provide workplaces free of recognized, serious hazards, millions of workers are injured on the job each year, and the rate of fatal injuries has not decreased. This makes it even more important for injured workers to pursue their civil legal rights rather than relying solely on regulatory enforcement. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys knows how to use OSHA records and safety standards to build a strong negligence case on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Compensation You Can Recover After a Bridgeport Workplace Injury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The compensation available to you depends on whether your employer is a subscriber or non-subscriber, whether third parties share liability, and the severity of your injuries. In a non-subscriber negligence lawsuit, the categories of damages are broader than what workers’ comp typically allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economic damages cover the financial losses you can document. These include past and future medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, reduced earning capacity if your injury limits your ability to work in the future, and the cost of rehabilitation or long-term care. If your injuries are severe, such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or a catastrophic burn, the economic damages alone can be substantial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that do not come with a receipt. Pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life all fall into this category. Texas law does not cap non-economic damages in most workplace injury lawsuits against non-subscriber employers, which is another reason these cases can result in meaningful recoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cases involving gross negligence, Texas law also allows for exemplary (punitive) damages. Gross negligence means the employer’s conduct involved an extreme degree of risk and the employer was consciously indifferent to the safety of its workers. If your employer knew about a dangerous condition near the Bridgeport courthouse square or along a county road worksite and did nothing about it, that may rise to the level of gross negligence. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on the specific facts and law involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not wait to take action. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code \u00a7 16.003. If you miss that deadline, you lose your right to recover. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Serves Bridgeport Workplace Injury Victims<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm based in Denton, Texas, serving clients throughout Wise County, including Bridgeport. Our firm handles workplace injury cases alongside a wide range of personal injury matters, from construction accidents and premises liability claims to catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. We understand the local courts, including the Wise County District Courts where many of these cases are litigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bridgeport workers face unique challenges. Many work in physically demanding industries with employers who are well-funded and aggressive in defending injury claims. Some non-subscriber employers use mandatory arbitration agreements or private benefit plans to limit what injured workers can recover. Our team knows how these tactics work and how to counter them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly charges. Your only job right after a workplace injury is to get medical attention, report the injury to your employer in writing, and document everything you can about what happened and where.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you were hurt at a job site near Lake Bridgeport, on a drilling pad in the Barnett Shale region west of town, or at any Bridgeport-area facility, reach out to us as soon as possible. The sooner we can review your case, the better positioned you are to protect your rights. Call (940) 800-2500 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. This content is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts and applicable law.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nFAQs About Bridgeport Workplace Injury Claims<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat should I do immediately after a workplace injury in Bridgeport, Texas?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Seek medical attention first, even if your injury seems minor. Then report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible. Texas law requires injured employees to report workplace injuries to their employer within 30 days to preserve their legal rights. Document the scene with photos if you can, gather witness contact information, and keep records of all medical treatment and expenses. After taking those steps, contact an attorney before giving any recorded statements to your employer’s insurance company or benefit plan administrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does it matter if my Bridgeport employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it matters significantly. If your employer is a non-subscriber under Texas Labor Code \u00a7 406.002, you can file a direct negligence lawsuit against them in civil court. Under Texas Labor Code \u00a7 406.033, the employer cannot use contributory negligence, assumption of risk, or fellow employee negligence as defenses. This gives you a legal advantage that workers in states with mandatory workers’ comp systems do not have. You may be able to recover a broader range of damages, including pain and suffering, which workers’ comp does not cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I sue a third party if someone other than my employer caused my workplace injury?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes. If a party other than your employer contributed to your injury, you may have a claim against that third party regardless of your employer’s workers’ comp status. Common third-party defendants in workplace injury cases include equipment manufacturers, property owners, subcontractors, and in some cases, vehicle operators. For workers in maritime or offshore-adjacent roles, 33 U.S.C. \u00a7 905(b) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act also allows injured workers to bring third-party negligence claims against vessel owners under certain conditions. An attorney can identify all potentially liable parties in your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long do I have to file a workplace injury lawsuit in Texas?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In most Texas personal injury cases, including workplace injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code \u00a7 16.003. If you miss this deadline, a court will almost certainly dismiss your case and you will lose your right to recover compensation. Some exceptions apply, such as cases involving minors or certain latent injuries, but you should never rely on an exception. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible after your injury to protect your rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What if my employer pressures me not to report my workplace injury or threatens my job?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Retaliation against an employee for reporting a workplace injury or filing a workers’ compensation claim is illegal under Texas Labor Code \u00a7 451.001. An employer who fires, demotes, or otherwise discriminates against you for exercising your legal rights may face additional liability. Do not let pressure from your employer stop you from getting medical care or pursuing your legal rights. Document any threats or retaliatory actions in writing. An attorney can advise you on both your injury claim and any retaliation claim you may have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n