Houston
What to do after a workplace injury in Houston
The short answer
After a workplace injury in Houston, a central question is whether the employer carries Texas workers' compensation insurance, because private Texas employers generally may choose not to carry workers' compensation. Employers with and without coverage have different notice and reporting duties, and federal OSHA has two Houston-area offices; the details are below with their sources. InjuryClaimGuide is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Key facts, as of October 22, 2026
- In Texas, private employers can choose to carry workers' compensation insurance, but it is not required in most cases. Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation
- Under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act, an injured employee, or someone acting for the employee, must notify the employer of an injury not later than the 30th day after it occurs. Source: Tex. Lab. Code §409.001
- OSHA's Houston North Area Office is at 690 S. Loop 336 W., Suite 400, Conroe, TX 77304, and its Houston South Area Office is at 17625 El Camino Real, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77058. Source: OSHA, Texas area offices
Workplace injuries can involve workers' compensation, third-party claims, or both. The right path depends on the industry, the employer, and the specific facts.
Related guide: Injured at work in Texas: workers' comp, non-subscribers and deadlines
Related guide: How to choose a workplace injury lawyer in Houston
Related guide: How to find a personal injury lawyer in Houston
What if a Houston employer does not carry workers' compensation?
- TDI-DWC says an employer without coverage must post a notice of no coverage where employees can see it, give written notice of no coverage to new employees, and report to the state that it does not have coverage. Source: TDI-DWC, Non-covered employers
- In a lawsuit by an employee against an employer without workers' compensation coverage, Texas law says it is not a defense that the employee was contributorily negligent, assumed the risk, or was hurt through a fellow employee's negligence. Source: Tex. Lab. Code §406.033
Which agencies handle workplace injury reports in Houston?
- Federal rules require an employer to report a work-related fatality to OSHA within 8 hours, and an in-patient hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye within 24 hours. Source: 29 C.F.R. §1904.39
- TDI-DWC has two Houston field offices, Houston East at 5425 Polk Street, Suite 130, and Houston West at 350 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E., Ste. 110 B; its customer line is 800-252-7031. Source: TDI-DWC, Contact information
What deadline and remedy rules does the Texas workers' compensation law set?
- An employee or a person acting for the employee must file a claim for compensation with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, not later than one year after the injury occurred or, for an occupational disease, after the employee knew or should have known the disease was related to the employment. Source: Tex. Lab. Code §409.003
- Recovery of workers' compensation benefits is the exclusive remedy of an employee covered by workers' compensation insurance against the employer or an agent or employee of the employer for a work-related injury. Source: Tex. Lab. Code §408.001(a)