A sudden twist, a heavy fall, or a repetitive motion can lead to a life-altering back injury. For workers in Dallas-Fort Worth, the physical pain is often just the beginning. When a back injury happens on the job, it can bring your career to a screeching halt and leave you facing mounting medical bills and an uncertain future. If you were hurt while working for a company that has opted out of workers' compensation (a "non-subscriber"), you have the right to seek full compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim rather than being limited to the standard workers' comp system.
At Armstrong Personal Injury Law, Warren Armstrong is an experienced Texas work injury lawyer dedicated to helping injured workers navigate this unique legal landscape. He understands the severe impact a back or spinal cord injury can have and is committed to holding negligent employers accountable.
Common Causes of Work-Related Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Workplace accidents can happen in any industry, but physical labor often puts significant strain on the spine. These injuries aren't always the result of a single dramatic event; they can also develop over time due to unsafe conditions. Common causes of workplace back and spinal cord injuries include:
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents. A worker slips on a wet floor or trips over debris, landing hard on their back or twisting their spine. These falls are a leading cause of herniated discs and fractures.
- Falls from heights. Construction workers, warehouse employees, and others working on ladders, scaffolds, or loading docks are at risk. A fall from even a modest height can result in crushed vertebrae or catastrophic spinal cord damage.
- Lifting heavy objects. Straining to lift boxes, equipment, or materials—especially without proper training or assistance—can cause immediate muscle tears, herniated discs, and debilitating back spasms.
- Repetitive stress and overuse. Jobs that require constant bending, twisting, or heavy lifting can gradually wear down the spine, leading to chronic conditions like degenerative disc disease or stress fractures over time.
- Struck-by accidents. Being hit by a falling object, a piece of machinery, or a swinging load can apply tremendous force to the back, causing fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue damage.
- Vehicle and heavy equipment collisions. For those who drive for a living or operate forklifts and other machinery, a collision can jolt the spine violently, leading to whiplash-type back injuries or more severe trauma.
The Severe Consequences of Back and Spinal Cord Trauma
A workplace injury to the back isn't just a "bad back." It can be a life-changing medical event with permanent repercussions. The severity of the injury dictates the impact on a worker's life.
Common back injuries often involve damage to the muscles, ligaments, and discs. These can include:
- Herniated or bulging discs. The soft cushions between the vertebrae can rupture, pressing on nerves and causing severe pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs.
- Spinal fractures. A broken vertebra is a serious injury that can lead to instability of the spine and, in severe cases, bone fragments damaging the spinal cord.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs). These are the most catastrophic workplace injuries. The spinal cord is the body's information superhighway, and damage to it can be permanent.
- Complete SCI. Results in a total loss of sensation and motor function below the level of injury, leading to paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia).
- Incomplete SCI. The spinal cord is only partially damaged, leaving some function and sensation below the injury site, though mobility may be severely impaired.
The consequences extend far beyond the physical. Workers with severe back or spinal cord injuries face immense financial and emotional challenges, including mounting medical debt from surgeries and rehabilitation, the permanent loss of their career and earning capacity, and the profound emotional toll of chronic pain and disability.
Legal Rights for Injured Employees of Non-Subscribers in Texas
Texas law is unique. Unlike most states, private employers in Texas are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance. Employers who choose not to carry it are known as "non-subscribers". If you work for a non-subscriber and are injured, you are not limited to the traditional workers' comp system.
Instead, you have the right to sue your employer for negligence. In a personal injury lawsuit, you are not restricted to the limited benefits of workers' comp (which typically only covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages). You can seek full compensation for all your damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses (surgery, rehabilitation, medication, home modifications)
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability and disfigurement
Furthermore, Texas law strips non-subscriber employers of common law defenses, such as claiming the employee was partly at fault (contributory negligence). This makes it easier for an injured worker to hold their employer accountable.
Steps to Take After a Workplace Back Injury
What you do in the immediate aftermath of a workplace back injury can significantly impact your health and your legal claim.
- Report the injury immediately. Notify your supervisor or employer about the accident and your injury as soon as it happens. This creates a formal record.
- Seek medical attention right away. Your health is the top priority. Even if you don't feel immediate pain, some injuries, like spinal cord trauma, may not show symptoms right away. A prompt medical exam will document your injuries and link them to the workplace accident.
- Document the scene. If you are able, take photos of the area where you were injured, including any hazards that caused the accident (like a wet floor or unstable equipment).
- Gather witness information. Get the names and contact information of any coworkers or others who saw what happened.
- Consult with an experienced attorney. Before speaking to your employer's insurance company or signing any documents, talk to a lawyer who understands Texas non-subscriber law.
How Armstrong Personal Injury Law Can Help
Navigating a claim against a non-subscriber employer can be complex. Insurance companies and employers have legal teams working to minimize their payout. Attorney Warren Armstrong levels the playing field by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation
- Calculating the true value of your claim
- Handling all communication
- Aggressively negotiating or litigating
If a workplace back or spinal cord injury has turned your life upside down, you don't have to face the future alone.