Harlingen Work Accident Lawyers
Personal Injury Trial Attorneys Serving Brownsville, Cameron County, & Hidalgo County, TX
Work accidents are an unfortunate reality across the United States. These injuries occur daily to workers of all kinds, especially those in high-risk and dangerous work environments. A work accident can drastically interrupt your life with a temporary or permanent disability, depress your livelihood, cause pain and suffering, and threaten you with severe financial distress.
Fortunately, most workers in the U.S. can turn to workers’ compensation programs for benefits such as medical expenses and wage replacement. Workers’ comp, however, is limited in what you can recover. For example, it does not compensate for pain and suffering or emotional distress. Wage benefits are also statutorily limited.
When a worker has been injured due to a third party’s negligence, a personal injury claim may be filed against the at-fault party seeking damages unavailable through workers’ compensation.
At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, our personal injury lawyers can represent you in these cases with skilled and trial-tested legal representation. We can thoroughly investigate all the factors involved in your work accident to determine all who may be held liable for what you have suffered.
Request a free consultation with a Harlingen work accident attorney by contacting us online or at (956) 225-2509. Hablamos Español.
Overview of Texas Work Accidents
Work accidents can result in minor to major injuries, catastrophic injuries, and even death. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,190 fatal work injuries were recorded in the country in 2021, marking an 8.9-percent increase from 4,764 in 20201. Additionally, work-related medically-consulted injuries totaled an alarming 4.26 million in the same year.
Specific industries tend to have higher rates of work injuries due to the inherent risks involved in the job. For instance, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation often report high injury rates due to heavy machinery use, hazardous materials, and strenuous physical labor.
The leading causes of work injuries typically include slips, trips, falls, contact with equipment and overexertion. 18% of the 1,176,340 nonfatal work injuries resulting in days away from work in 2020 were related to slip and fall accidents. However, even office workers can become injured if environmental safety issues are ignored.
Types of On-the-Job Injuries
Types of injuries that can occur to workers vary greatly depending on the nature of the job and the accident. They can range from minor cuts and bruises to serious and catastrophic conditions such as fractures, burns, traumatic brain injuries, and even fatalities.
Examples of injuries can include:
- Strains and Sprains: Common injuries from heavy lifting or repetitive motion.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Resulting from using sharp objects or machinery.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Occurring from falls, being struck by objects, or machinery accidents.
- Burns: Related to jobs that involve fire, chemicals, electricity, or hot equipment.
- Concussions: Resulting from falls, being struck by an object, or vehicle accidents.
- Hearing Loss: Occurring in jobs with high noise levels, such as construction or factory work.
- Eye Injuries: Associated with flying debris, chemicals, or intense light.
- Repetitive Stress Injuries: Related to repeated motion over time, such as typing or assembly line work.
- Heat Stroke: In jobs involving high temperatures or strenuous physical labor.
- Respiratory Problems: Resulting from exposure to dust, mold, or toxic fumes.
- Amputations: Severe injuries from accidents involving heavy machinery.
- Chemical Poisoning: In jobs involving handling or exposure to hazardous substances.
- Back Injuries: From heavy lifting, falls, or repetitive motion.
- Electrical Shocks and Electrocution: Occurring in jobs involving electrical work, such as construction.
- Exposure to Harmful Substances: Leads to various health issues, depending on the substance.
- Musculoskeletal Disorders: Occurring from heavy lifting, repetitive motion, or maintaining awkward postures.
- Psychological Trauma: From accidents, violent incidents, or high-stress environments.
- Occupational Diseases: Conditions caused by exposure to risk factors in the workplace, such as lung diseases, skin disorders, or certain types of cancer.
- Falls from Height: Leading to various injuries, depending on the height and surface, typically associated with construction, warehouse, and factory work and in other industrial environments.
- Crush Injuries: Occurring when a part of the body is squeezed between two heavy objects.
- Puncture Wounds: From stepping on or coming into contact with sharp objects.
Why Choose Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers?
See What Sets Us Apart
-
You don't need to come to our office. We can meet virtually!
-
At our core, we are dedicated to giving back and contributing to the community.
-
We prepare each and every case as if it's headed for trial.
-
Get started on your case with a free consultation today.
Personal Injury Claims for Work Accidents
As a worker, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim if your injury was caused by the negligence of a third party, meaning someone other than your employer.
Third parties that might be liable could include:
- Product Manufacturers: If a worker is injured by a defective product or piece of equipment that another company manufactured, that company could be held liable. For example, if a construction worker is injured because a safety harness breaks, the harness manufacturer could be sued for product liability.
- Property Owners: The property owner might be held liable if a worker is injured on someone else's property. For example, if a delivery person slips and falls due to hazardous conditions while making a delivery at a home or business, they might be able to sue the property owner for premises liability.
- Subcontractors or Contractors: When multiple companies work on a project together, one company might be held liable for injuries caused to another company's employees. For example, if an electrician is injured due to the negligence of a plumber on the same construction site, the plumbing company might be held liable.
- Drivers: If a worker is injured in a car accident while on the job, and another driver caused the accident, that driver could potentially be held liable. For example, if a truck driver is injured in a collision caused by a drunk driver, the truck driver might be able to sue the drunk driver for personal injury.
- Non-Employees: Sometimes, workers can be injured by people who are neither their co-workers nor their employers. For example, if a nurse is attacked by a patient or a visitor at the hospital where she works, she may have a personal injury claim against the person who attacked her.
In each of these scenarios, you would generally need to prove that the third party was negligent -- that they owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty, and that the breach was a proximate cause of your injuries. Proving these elements can be complex, so consulting with a personal injury attorney is advisable.
Hear from Our Clients
Providing Support Every Step of the Way
At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
-
The folks at Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers are knowledgeable friendly and caring. When choosing a lawyer you need someone who will treat you like you are more than a case number. That's where Juan shines. He may be a new face to the Valley legal experience, but his compassion and dedication to fight for your cause is what sets him apart from the rest. If you need- Brooke S.
-
Our family’s go-to for legal/civil issues! Really takes care of your issues quickly and aggressively! Thank you Mr. Pecina for resolving my civil issue against someone who thought he could take advantage of yet another honest customer for the hundredth time, but not this time… too bad for him Pecina was called! 1000000% felt like Pecina had my back and handled it so professionally, perfectly, and aggressively! He is who you need!- Nelly E.
-
- Jorge E.
Contacted his office over a civil issue and got a quick result. The staff and Attorney were very responsive when I had questions about my case and took the time to explain everything each step of the way. The results were in my favor, I will always be thankful for resolving my issue and treating me like family.
-
- Anna T.
If you're looking for your average, run of the Mill law firm, Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers just isn't for you. If you're looking for a law from that specializes in your individual needs, and that genuinely cares about your specific situation, you have found the right place. Contact them, it'll be the best decision you've ever made.
-
- Slavko C.
Mr. Pecina took care of me & my family. He treated us like we were a part of his family. I cannot stress how many different attorneys we spoke to who gave us a runaround & collected our money. Mr. Pecina was the only reasonable & honest attorney we encountered. He explained everything thoroughly & efficiently both in English & Spanish. It is difficult to find a bilingual law firm that is willing to work with & help out the little guy. Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers is it. I cannot recommend this firm & its team enough. I will have Mr. Pecina do all of my legal work from now on & in the future. Thank you Sir for all of your help.
-
- Gabriela R.
The office is very welcoming and provides excellent customer service. They are an amazing team and will go the extra mile for their clients. I super recommend to anyone looking for help with legal matters!
-
- Nick Y.
Great communication and answered all questions I had regarding an injury sustained as a result of a car accident. In addition, they were knowledgeable and provided exceptional customer service.
-
- Shannon C.
Best at what they do, 100% recommend them. Don’t hesitate to contact them for your law firm needs. Kassandra was the best at helping me with my questions and was very professional.