A workplace injury can leave you facing medical expenses, lost income, and uncertainty about what comes next. Many employees who pursue Nordstrom workers’ compensation claims in Houston assume a job-related injury automatically falls within the workers’ compensation system.
However, that is not always the case. Certain private employers choose not to participate in the workers’ compensation coverage system, creating a different legal path for injured workers. If you suffered an injury while performing your job duties, an attorney could help you understand whether a non-subscriber claim may be available.
Why Nordstrom Injury Cases Follow a Different Path
Texas allows private employers to opt out of the state’s workers’ compensation program. These employers are known as non-subscribers, and the liability shield available to companies that carry workers’ compensation insurance does not protect them.
As the state permits this system, many Houston employees who suffer injuries while working at Nordstrom discover that their claims involve questions of employer negligence rather than the benefit structure that accompanies workers’ compensation. That distinction can significantly affect both the evidence required and the compensation potentially available. Although a non-subscriber employer must still satisfy certain notice requirements, opting out of workers’ compensation does not eliminate the obligation to provide a reasonably safe workplace.
Can You Recover Damages at Nordstrom Without Workers’ Compensation?
Whether you can recover damages without workers’ compensation often depends on why the accident occurred. When a workplace injury at Nordstrom results from unsafe conditions, inadequate training, insufficient staffing, or other failures by an employer, an injured worker may have grounds to pursue a negligence claim. That is important because a Houston Nordstrom employee pursuing what they believe is a workers’ compensation claim after an injury may actually have access to damages that are unavailable through a traditional system. Potential compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
In cases involving gross negligence, exemplary damages may also be available under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.009. The statute allows additional damages designed to discourage particularly dangerous conduct by employers.
Retail Workplace Risks That Employees Commonly Face
Retail environments present unique safety challenges that can lead to significant injuries. Employees often perform physically demanding tasks while assisting customers, stocking merchandise, operating equipment, and navigating busy sales floors. Houston Nordstrom employees who sustain injuries at work may have a valid claim for damages.
Common workplace accidents may include falling inventory, stockroom injuries, slip and falls, lifting incidents, and repetitive stress injuries caused by repeated motions throughout a work shift. Employees who regularly move merchandise, unpack shipments, or perform repetitive hand and wrist movements may develop conditions that worsen over time and interfere with their ability to work.
Workplace injuries are not always the result of a single traumatic event. In some cases, an employer’s failure to implement safe procedures or address ongoing hazards contributes to injuries that develop gradually. Determining how an injury occurred often requires a thorough investigation of workplace conditions, training practices, and company policies.
Contact Our Attorneys in Houston to Discuss Your Nordstrom Workers’ Compensation Claim
Being injured on the job can leave you wondering how you will pay your bills, receive medical care, and protect your future. When a company operates outside the traditional workers’ compensation system, understanding your legal rights becomes even more important.
Nordstrom work injury claims in Houston require careful handling—our legal team at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris helps injured workers understand their options, investigate employer negligence, and pursue compensation when employers could have prevented workplace accidents. If you sustained injuries while working for Nordstrom, our attorneys could evaluate the circumstances of your accident and explain the options available to you. Contact us today to discuss your situation.
