San Antonio Work Injury Lawyers

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Lawsuits

Workers’ compensation offers limited benefits—medical coverage and partial wages—but does not allow recovery for pain, suffering, or long-term loss.

A third-party lawsuit, on the other hand, is a fault-based civil claim that permits recovery for the full measure of damages caused by another company’s negligence.

In practical terms, this means that a worker hurt on a job site in Bexar County might receive basic checks through workers’ compensation while a separate claim is pursued against the negligent contractor, property owner, or manufacturer that truly caused the harm. The work accident attorney San Antonio workers choose should be prepared to coordinate these claims so that medical care continues while the broader civil case moves forward in court or in settlement negotiations.

Texas is unique in that workers’ compensation coverage is not required by law. Some employers are non-subscribers and do not carry workers’ compensation insurance. In those cases, injured employees can bring a direct negligence claim against the employer, often alongside a third-party action.

The Packard Law Firm focuses exclusively on these civil personal injury and non-subscriber cases, where our clients’ potential recoveries are not restricted by the workers’ compensation system.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered

Workplace accidents can change the course of a person’s life. Civil personal injury claims allow victims to pursue compensation for both economic and human losses, not just limited benefits. Depending on the facts of your case, recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses for all necessary treatment, rehabilitation, and future care.
• Full lost wages and loss of future earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous work.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress resulting from physical and psychological trauma.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement, such as amputation, paralysis, or severe burns.
• Loss of consortium and household services, recognizing the injury’s impact on family life.
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, including funeral costs and loss of financial support.

For many clients, a workplace injury also means the end of their career. Because our firm also handles Social Security Disability (SSD) cases, we can help evaluate your eligibility for benefits and coordinate strategies to protect your civil recovery while securing long-term financial support.

Common Work Injuries And Job Sites We See In San Antonio

Serious work injuries in the San Antonio area occur in many different settings, from busy construction corridors along Loop 1604 to distribution centers near I-35 and the oilfield service yards that support drilling activity in South Texas. Each environment presents its own hazards, and understanding where and how injuries happen helps us build stronger cases. When we evaluate a new matter, we look closely at the type of job site, the sequence of events, and which companies had control over the work that was being done.

We regularly represent people hurt on commercial construction projects, road and utility work, warehouses and logistics hubs, manufacturing plants, and oilfield or refinery locations. A job accident lawyer San Antonio workers turn to must be familiar with industry safety rules that apply to scaffolding, fall protection, machine guarding, vehicle operation, and confined spaces. We also see many claims arising from delivery driving, facility maintenance, and hospital or nursing home work where staff are exposed to lifting injuries, unsafe floors, or negligent security.

Because no two workplaces are alike, our team takes the time to visit sites when possible, review safety manuals, and interview coworkers and supervisors about how tasks were typically performed. This detailed approach allows us to identify patterns—for example, whether similar incidents have happened before at a large plant on the West Side or a job along the I-10 corridor—and use that history to show a jury that a dangerous practice was ignored. By tying your specific injury back to day-to-day conditions on the ground, we can more effectively demonstrate how a reasonable company in San Antonio should have acted to keep you safe.

What To Do After A Serious Work Accident In San Antonio

The hours and days after a job site accident can feel chaotic, especially if you are dealing with pain, hospital visits, and pressure from supervisors or insurance adjusters. Taking a few clear steps can protect both your health and your legal rights. We often speak with injured workers who wish they had known what to document or who to notify immediately after an incident on a project along Highway 90 or at a plant near the San Antonio International Airport.

Medical care should come first. Get evaluated at an emergency room or urgent care, such as one of the major hospitals in the Medical Center area, and make sure you describe that the injury happened while you were working. As soon as you are able, report the incident in writing to a supervisor and keep a copy or photo of whatever you submit. If possible, collect names and contact information for coworkers who saw what happened and take photos of the area, equipment, or vehicles involved before anything is moved or repaired.

You should also avoid signing documents or giving detailed recorded statements to any insurance company until you understand your options. An adjuster for a third-party contractor or equipment rental company may call quickly to ask questions or offer a small payment in exchange for a release. Speaking with a job injury attorney San Antonio workers rely on before you respond can help you avoid mistakes that limit your future recovery. Even a short consultation can clarify whether there may be claims against multiple companies and how to balance workers’ compensation, short-term disability, and a civil lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Will A Third-Party Work Injury Case Take In Texas?

The length of a third-party work injury case in Texas varies based on the complexity of the facts, the number of companies involved, and how quickly medical treatment stabilizes. Some claims can be resolved through negotiation within several months once the full extent of injuries is known, while others may proceed into litigation and take a year or more. Deadlines imposed by Texas law and local court scheduling in Bexar County also affect timing, so it is important to start the process as soon as possible after an accident.

Do I Have To Choose Between Workers’ Compensation And A Third-Party Lawsuit?

In many situations, an injured worker can receive workers’ compensation benefits while a separate third-party claim is pursued against a negligent company that is not the employer. These are different systems that address different parts of your losses. However, there can be important reimbursement and lien issues when both are involved, so coordinating the timing and structure of any settlement is critical to protecting your net recovery.

Do You Have A Third-Party Case?

Many workers assume that their only remedy is through workers’ compensation. In reality, third-party liability is far more common than most realize, especially on large job sites or in industries involving multiple contractors, vendors, or equipment suppliers.

You may have a viable third-party case if:

• A defective machine, vehicle, or product contributed to your injury.
• You were working on property not owned or controlled by your employer.
• A contractor, subcontractor, or vendor created or failed to correct a dangerous condition.
• You were injured by a third-party driver or delivery vehicle while performing job duties.
• Your employer is a non-subscriber that opted out of workers’ compensation coverage.

Texas law generally provides two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. However, cases involving government entities may require formal notice within six months. Because evidence at worksites can change rapidly, early investigation is critical to preserving your rights.

How We Build A Case For Injured Workers

Our firm approaches every workplace injury case as if it will go to trial. We conduct detailed investigations to uncover how the accident occurred, who was responsible, and how the injury has affected your life.

Our process includes:

• Scene and evidence preservation before conditions change or equipment is altered.
• Expert analysis from engineers, human factors specialists, and medical professionals.
• Contract and control review to determine which entities held responsibility for site safety.
• Comprehensive case preparation to maximize value through negotiation or trial.

This methodical, evidence-driven approach has allowed us to recover significant verdicts and settlements for injured Texans across a wide range of industries.

Call For A FREE Consultation In San Antonio: (210) 972-8918

If you were seriously injured on the job and believe a third party may be at fault, you may have rights that go beyond workers’ compensation. The Packard Law Firm represents workers and families across Texas in complex injury and non-subscriber cases, helping clients pursue the compensation they need to recover and move forward.

Call (210) 972-8918 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our San Antonio work injury attorneys will investigate your case, identify liable parties, and fight for the full value of your claim.