When an industrial accident happens, your life changes in an instant. Whether you work in a manufacturing plant, refinery, chemical facility, or construction site, a serious injury can leave you facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and an uncertain future. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP represents workers throughout Houston who have suffered injuries in industrial accidents. Our attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these incidents take on you and your family. We handle cases involving machinery accidents, chemical exposures, plant explosions, falls from heights, electrocution injuries, and other workplace incidents. If you’ve been hurt at work due to someone else’s negligence, we can help you pursue compensation. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Industrial Accident Case
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP brings decades of experience handling industrial accident claims for injured workers across Texas. Our team includes attorneys named to the 2026 Best Lawyers in America list and board-certified in personal injury trial law. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in workplace accidents, including a $25 million settlement for an oil and gas incident injury, a $14 million recovery for an oil and gas accident, and an $11 million verdict in a work-related injury case. Our attorneys have handled cases involving catastrophic injuries, toxic exposures, defective equipment, and fires at chemical plants and refineries. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Your focus should be on healing while we handle the legal process.
Common Types of Industrial Accidents in Houston
Machinery and Equipment Injuries
Industrial machinery causes thousands of injuries each year. Defective equipment, inadequate maintenance, and operator error all contribute to serious accidents. Forklift accidents, crane incidents, conveyor belt injuries, and equipment malfunctions result in crushing injuries, amputations, and permanent disability. Manufacturers and employers have a responsibility to maintain equipment safely and provide proper training to workers.
Chemical and Refinery Accidents
Houston’s petrochemical industry exposes workers to hazardous chemicals daily. Chemical spills, toxic gas releases, explosions, and fires at refineries and chemical plants cause severe burns, respiratory injuries, and long-term health problems. These incidents often involve multiple parties, employers, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and facility owners, who may share liability for the accident.
Falls and Structural Failures
Falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. Scaffolding collapses, ladder failures, falls from roofs, and structural defects create dangerous conditions. Building collapses and structural failures can trap workers and cause catastrophic injuries or death.
Electrocution and Burn Injuries
Electrical hazards in industrial settings cause electrocution injuries, arc flash burns, and thermal injuries. These accidents often happen when workers contact live electrical lines, use defective equipment, or work in wet conditions without proper protection. Burn injuries from industrial fires and explosions require extensive medical treatment and can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. Learn more about what to do after a severe burn injury at work.
How Industrial Accidents Happen: Causes and Liability
Industrial accidents rarely happen by chance. They result from unsafe conditions, unsafe practices, or defective equipment. Unsafe working conditions include inadequate safety equipment, poor maintenance, lack of proper ventilation, and failure to address known hazards. Unsafe acts occur when workers aren’t properly trained, aren’t provided proper safety equipment, or are pressured to work faster than is safe.
Third-party negligence also causes industrial accidents. Contractors, equipment manufacturers, property owners, and other companies may create dangerous conditions that injure workers. OSHA violations can indicate that employers failed to meet safety standards. When employers ignore workplace safety standards, workers pay the price. Defective equipment and products cause injuries when manufacturers fail to design safe equipment or warn workers about hazards. You may have claims against your employer, third-party contractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners. Sometimes, your claim can be against multiple parties.
Injuries That Result from Industrial Accidents
Industrial accidents cause some of the most serious injuries people experience. Catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage, paralysis, and amputation permanently change a person’s life. Traumatic brain injuries affect memory, cognition, and personality. Severe burns require multiple surgeries and skin grafts. Broken bones and fractures may heal, but workers often face chronic pain and limited mobility. Some industrial accidents result in wrongful death, leaving families without a provider and facing funeral expenses and lost income. Learn more about steps to take after a catastrophic injury.
What Compensation Can You Recover
If you’ve been injured in an industrial accident, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, both current treatment and future care you may need. You can seek lost wages from time away from work and lost earning capacity if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job. Pain and suffering damages may compensate you for physical pain and emotional distress. Permanent disability compensation may address your reduced ability to work and enjoy life. If a loved one died in an industrial accident, family members can pursue wrongful death claims. You may also have third-party claims against contractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners whose negligence contributed to the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after an industrial accident?
Seek medical attention first, even if your injury seems minor. Report the accident to your employer and document what happened. Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries if possible. Get contact information from witnesses. Avoid signing anything or giving statements to insurance companies without speaking to an attorney first. Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP as soon as you can.
How long do I have to file an industrial accident claim?
Texas law sets time limits for filing personal injury claims. Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However, workers’ compensation claims have different deadlines. It’s important to act promptly and speak with an industrial accident attorney in Houston about your situation.
Can I sue my employer for an industrial accident?
In most cases, workers’ compensation is your exclusive remedy against your employer. However, you may have claims against third parties like contractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners. An attorney can review your situation and identify potential defendants.
What is the difference between workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim?
Workers’ compensation provides medical benefits and wage replacement but limits your recovery and generally prevents you from suing your employer. Personal injury claims against third parties may allow you to recover additional damages, including pain and suffering. Many industrial accident victims pursue both workers’ compensation and third-party claims.
How much is my industrial accident case worth?
Your case value depends on the severity of your injury, medical expenses, lost wages, your age, and your ability to work in the future. Cases involving permanent disability or catastrophic injury may involve higher damages than cases with temporary injuries. An attorney can evaluate your specific situation and discuss potential recovery.
Do I need an attorney for my industrial accident claim?
While you can file a workers’ compensation claim without an attorney, legal representation may improve your ability to pursue full and fair compensation. Insurance companies often work to limit what they pay. An attorney can help advocate for your interests throughout the process. Learn more about injured workers’ rights.
What evidence do I need to prove my industrial accident case?
Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment are essential. Accident reports, witness statements, photos of the scene, and safety records help support a claim. Testimony about industry standards and the cause of the accident may also strengthen your case. An attorney can help identify and gather relevant evidence.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an industrial accident in Houston, you don’t have to handle this on your own. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP offers free, confidential consultations to discuss your case. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to answer your questions. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call (713) 230-2200 today to speak with an industrial accident attorney about your situation. View our case results to see the recoveries we’ve obtained for injured workers.