Houston Non-Subscriber Accident Lawyer | No Workers Comp

If you're hurt here in Houston and your employer is a non-subscriber, you have legal rights that go far beyond what most injured workers ever realize. At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, our trial attorneys work tirelessly to recover maximum compensation for injured workers whose employers opted out of the Texas workers' compensation system, and we won't allow those employers or their insurers to use that decision as a shield against full accountability.

From our Houston office located at 2525 Robinhood St., Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77005, we serve injured workers throughout Harris County and across the State of Texas. Our trial team is recognized statewide for routinely securing some of the largest non-subscriber verdicts and settlements in Texas history, and the results we've achieved speak for themselves.

Sneed & Mitchell LLP has recovered over $100 million for injured clients across our state, earned multiple Top Verdict distinctions in Texas courts, secured an 8-figure settlement against a major corporation, and our attorneys are consistently ranked among the best trial lawyers and selected each year as Super Lawyer Rising Start, Top 40 Under 40, and other leading legal publications year after year.

With over 60 years of combined experience and a trial record that remains undefeated, it is our relentless dedication to injured workers that has earned Sneed & Mitchell LLP its reputation throughout Texas, and it is exactly why our non-subscriber accident lawyers are the right team to handle your case. Call us today at (713) 800-6676 for a free consultation.

Hire Houston's Best Non-Subscriber Accident Law Firm

From accidents construction sites near the Ship Channel, to transportation accidents in throughout Harris County, we are the name that employers fear when their negligence actions result in harm to their workers.

Our  Non-Subscriber Accident Lawyers have a reputation of securing many of the biggest settlements and trial verdicts in our State's history. Once you have a lawsuit with our name on it filed in Harris County, the defense knows that you have to pay what you're entitled to, or see us in trial, where we are undefeated.

Here at the Sneed & Mitchell Law Firm, we are:

• Job Injury Lawyers that have won some of largest recoveries in Texas

• Won Over $100 Million Dollars For Clients

• We have Texas' best network of Case Experts that help determine negligence

• $11 Million Dollar Recovery In 2024 Against National Chain

• The company will have to pay you more than they normally do for most other people

• Multiple 7-Figure Verdicts Across The State of Texas

• Secured Confidential 8-Figure Settlement Against MegaCorp

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What Is A Non-Subscriber?

A non-subscriber is an employer who has chosen not to purchase the standardized state government insurance plan. The benefits given to injured employees through standardized workers’ compensation generally fully cover lost wages, medical expenses, future lost income, funeral costs, and death benefits. Workers' compensation allows employers to have fewer things to worry about since they receive more protection from the state from lawsuits.

Houston non-subscriber employers are still legally obligated to provide some form of insurance or compensation to their employees, but the benefits are often insufficient and tend to only partially cover injuries. This does not mean non-subscribers are allowed to get away with unlawful practices, in fact, they have harsher restrictions and more liabilities than workers’ comp does.

How Do I Know If My Company Is A Non-Subscriber?

Non-subscribers are bound by law to make their compensation or lack thereof known to employees and must provide in detail what they do and don’t provide. 

Look For A Posted Notice 

If your company is a non-subscriber, they are legally required to post a written employee notification plan (ENP) in a visible area of the workplace that includes the details of the compensation coverage they provide. If you have trouble finding the notice, you can check with your company’s HR department. 

Research Your Company

By clicking on this link, you will be directed to the Texas Department of Insurance Database. From there, you will need to enter the state you live in, the date your injury occurred, and the name of your employer. If no information pops up regarding your employer, it typically means that your employer was not covered by workers’ compensation at the time of your injury.

Ask A Lawyer For Help

Just because your employer does not immediately show up in the TDI database does not mean they are non-subscribers. In fact, it is always best to consult with a Workplace Accident Lawyer to help deterine your company's insurance status to verify what kind of company they are. Many companies here in Texas create their own fake versions of worker's compensation prackages through isnruance entities such as Anchor Risk Management, which would still allow you to assert a civil tort claim to recover additional compensation.

What To Do If You Are Injured And Don’t Have Workers’ Comp

If you are wondering what to do if your employer does not have workers' compensation, call us today! You you need to contact a Non-Subcriber Accident Lawyer immediately. Protecting your rights while working for a non-subscriber can be tricky and requires the assistance of a legal professional experienced in litigating claims against employers that opt-out of the governmental insurance plan. 

How Non-Subscriber Companies Can Be Held Accountable For Negligence

Negligence occurs when one person’s careless and irresponsible behavior causes injury to another person. All non-subscriber companies are required to uphold certain safety standards and continuously perform health inspections to ensure their workplace is hazard-free. If an employer fails to uphold these standards, an employee has the right to pursue a lawsuit against them if they have the evidence to do so.

A Houston non-subscriber employer can be held liable for an employee’s accident if they:

• Fail to properly train employees

• Allow employees to operate machinery without skills

• Fail to conduct regular inspections

• Engage in negligent security acitons in ways that cause forseeable danger

• Allow building code violations to persist, such as blocked emergency exits

• Don't provide adequate lighting to stairwell, lots, entryways

• Ignore known hazards in an effort to save money

• Fail to terminate employees that have violated company policies

• Don’t provide proper PPE gear, such as respirators, hard hats, safety shoes, face fields, and more

• Fail to conduct safety inspections to ensure proper tooling and equipment

• Disregard hazardous conditions like increment weather, spills, or damaged products

If you suffered an injury at work and believe that your employer’s actions, or inactions, aided in causing a dangerous condition, then speaking to a Workplace Injury Lawyer is your best course of action. An attorney will review the facts of what occurred and help determine if your employer can be held legally responsible for your damages.

The Most Common Work-Related Injuries In Houston

Houston is home to multiple hazardous industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction. In fact, according to OSHA, there are about 100 fatalities in construction alone that occur each year in Houston. Many of these tragedies and injuries happen because of unsafe working conditions, negligent employers, insufficient safety training, and faulty equipment. The most common work-related injuries in Houston include the following:

• Volatile chemical exposure: When employees inhale chemicals that evaporate into the air, such as paint or gasoline, they can develop respiratory issues in their eyes, lungs, and throat.

• Slips and falls: When liquids such as oil are left on the ground, employees can slip and fall and develop serious injuries like concussions. 

• Automobile injuries: Employees who drive machines like forklifts or company cars can crash and obtain injuries such as whiplash.

• Injuries from explosions or fires: When the pressure of an oil well goes unchecked, it can cause it to explode, inflicting traumatic injuries such as burns, scarring, and ruptured eardrums.

• Machinery accidents: If equipment is mishandled or faulty, it can cause injuries like amputations and lacerations.

• Physical stress: When employees lift heavy objects in painful positions for long periods, they often experience physical stress on their back, neck, and shoulders.

• Electrocution: If wires are exposed or damaged, it can shock employees.

• Hearing loss: When workers are exposed to high-pitched or loud noises that can damage their eardrums over time. 

Many of these workplace injuries are preventable. If you believe your injury was caused due to a negligent employer, call (866) 434-0014 to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights.

Why Should I File A Non-Subscriber Work Injury Claim? 

Because non-subscriber claims do not go through the same process as workers’ compensation claims do, they are treated similarly to other personal injury lawsuits that are filed in Texas. There are pros and cons to non-subscriber claims. One of the biggest benefits for a claimant who files a non-subscriber claim is the ability to sue a defendant, which is typically not allowed in a workers’ comp case since they are usually heavily protected from lawsuits. Other benefits of filing a non-subscriber work injury claim include:

1. Gaining Additional Compensation

A claimant in a non-subscriber case can gain significantly more money than in a workers’ comp case because the employer is not as protected by the state government. An injured employee can gain compensation for the full range of their loss and receive benefits for things such as pain and suffering, punitive damages, emotional distress, and income loss. 

2. The Ability To Hold Employers More Accountable 

To prevent employers from getting away with unfair practices, Texas has established Labor Code Sec. 406.033 which prohibits employers from using certain defenses. First, an employer cannot claim that the employee was partially at fault for their accident (except in cases where the employee was drunk or under the influence of drugs). Secondly, the employer can not point the finger at another employee to shift the blame for a work-injury. Another defense an employer is not allowed to use is claiming the employee “assumed the risk of injury or death” when applying to the job. 

The negative aspect of a non-subscriber claim is that they typically take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to get through because the claimant has to present evidence to the court to prove that the defendant’s negligence caused their work-injuries. This could mean presenting screenshots of communication between them and the defendant, showing photos of the extent of their injuries and the scene of the accident, and more. 

Popular Companies That Are Non-Subscribers Here In Harris County

Below are a few of popular companies here in Harris County that are non-subscribers to the Texas Workers’ Compensation program. These well-known businesses, ranging from national retailers and grocery chains to restaurants and manufacturers, have opted to manage workplace injury claims outside the state system.

• Academy Sports + Outdoors

• Albertsons

• Amazon

• American Bottling Company (Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Keurig)

• AutoZone

• Best Buy

• Brookdale Senior Living

• Brookshire Brothers

• Coca Cola

• Costco

• Dollar General

• Dollar Tree

• Family Dollar

• H-E-B

• Hobby Lobby

• Home Depot

• Igloo

• Kohl’s

• Kroger

• LKQ

• Lowe’s Home Improvement

• Macy’s

• McDonald’s (some locations)

• McLane Foodservice Distribution, Inc.

• O’Reilly Auto Parts

• Oak Farms Dairy

• Pep Boys

• Randalls

• Ross

• Sam’s Club

• Target

• Tom Thumb

• Tractor Supply

• Walmart

• Wendy’s

• Whataburger

If you were hurt while working for one of the companies, contact Sneed & Mitchell LLP today by calling (713)-800-6676. You could be able to pursue a work injury claim.

How To Hire Sneed & Mitchell LLP After A Non-Subscriber Accident

Our principal office location is easy to get to no matter where you are coming from here in Harris County. We are conveniently located at 2525 Robinhood St., Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77005.

Award-Winning Houston Non-Subscriber Accident Lawyers

Handling non-subscriber cases in Texas is not easy because employers tend to do everything in their power to maintain control over almost all aspects of a claim. Having an experienced lawyer to help defend your case and hold employers accountable could mean the difference between you winning or losing.

If you work for a Non-Subscriber in Texas and were hurt on the job, call 866-434-0014 to speak with a Workplace Accident and Injury Lawyer today. Sneed & Mitchell LLP has helped thousands of employees secure compensation following their work accident and can assist you today. You can also use “live chat” option for immediate assistance, or request a quick call through our Contact Form by Clicking Here.

And remember, you pay nothing until the case is successful. There are no upfront cost to start your case. We want you be focus on healing, while we do all the fighting. Contact the best in Harris County, today.