Legal Help for Injured Farm and Outdoor Workers in Texas
Texas agricultural workers face extreme temperatures, sun exposure, and hazardous environmental conditions daily, especially during peak planting and harvest seasons. When employers fail to provide shade, rest, water, or safe working conditions, preventable injuries and fatalities occur. At Williford Law, we represent workers in Houston and across Texas who suffer from heat stroke, dehydration, or toxic environmental exposure while doing essential outdoor labor.
If you or a loved one has been hospitalized or harmed by dangerous working conditions, our firm is ready to hold those responsible accountable.
Common Heat-Related and Environmental Injuries
Below is a chart summarizing common injuries that result from poor environmental protections in outdoor labor settings:
| Condition | Cause | Consequences |
| Heat Stroke | Prolonged work in direct sunlight with no breaks or hydration | Confusion, organ failure, death |
| Heat Exhaustion | Heavy labor in high heat with fluid loss | Lack of access to water on the job site |
| Dehydration | Kidney failure, shock, and heat cramps | Kidney failure, shock, heat cramps |
| Sun Poisoning | Prolonged UV exposure without sun protection | Burns, rashes, and systemic toxicity |
| Hypothermia | Cold weather exposure during early/late season work | Shivering, confusion, loss of consciousness |
| Respiratory Exposure | Dust, pesticides, or fertilizer inhalation | Asthma, lung damage, chemical burns |
These conditions are entirely preventable with basic safety protocols — yet violations are common across farms, ranches, nurseries, and construction-related agricultural operations.
Employer Duties Under Texas Law
Texas law and federal OSHA regulations require employers to take steps to prevent heat-related illness and environmental injury. These duties include:
- Providing adequate hydration, shade, and rest breaks
- Educating workers on the signs of heat-related illness
- Offering proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for chemical or weather exposure
- Monitoring temperature indexes and modifying work during heat advisories
- Implementing emergency response protocols for on-site collapse or unconsciousness
When employers fail to meet these obligations and workers are harmed, they may be held liable for negligence or wrongful death.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Multiple parties may be liable depending on where and how the exposure occurred:
- Farm or ranch owners who fail to provide adequate protection or shade
- Supervisors who push workers to meet quotas under unsafe heat conditions
- Contracting companies overseeing seasonal or migrant laborers
- Pesticide applicators or chemical handlers who fail to inform others on-site
- Event organizers for outdoor agricultural shows or fairs without safety planning
Williford Law investigates each case thoroughly, using occupational safety experts, toxicologists, and medical specialists to build the strongest case possible.
Serious Health Effects We Handle
We represent clients suffering from:
- Heat stroke with organ damage or neurological symptoms
- Respiratory injury from dust, pollen, or chemical exposure
- Sun poisoning or extreme UV skin damage
- Kidney failure due to untreated dehydration
- Cold-related collapse or frostbite
- Wrongful death resulting from any of the above
These cases often involve long-term medical care, time off work, and lasting disability. You deserve compensation for every harm.
Damages Available in Environmental Exposure Cases
Under Texas law, victims may recover compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Ongoing care and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
We also investigate whether punitive damages may apply in cases of egregious safety violations or intentional disregard for heat illness risks.
Why Hire Williford Law?
- Deep experience with outdoor labor injury, toxic exposure, and OSHA violation claims
- Compassionate, personalized client service with aggressive litigation strategy
- Access to experts in workplace safety, toxicology, and environmental medicine
- No attorney’s fee unless we win
We are here to fight for Texas workers and families who are often overlooked, especially in agriculture, migrant labor, and outdoor contracting industries.
