Protecting the Most Vulnerable on Farms Across the State
Agricultural labor is essential to Texas’s economy, but many of the people doing this work, including children and migrant laborers, are the least protected. Whether due to language barriers, fear of retaliation, or lack of proper training and equipment, these workers often suffer the most serious injuries with the fewest legal safeguards. At Williford Law, we fight to protect the rights of children and migrant workers injured on farms, ranches, and processing facilities across Texas.
If your child was injured while working or visiting a farm, or if you or a loved one were harmed while employed as a migrant worker, we are ready to stand up for your rights.
Common Injuries Among Child and Migrant Farmworkers
Many of these injuries are preventable and often stem from unsafe conditions, poor supervision, and employer negligence. Below is a chart outlining the most common injury types:
| Injury Type | Common Causes |
| Traumatic Injuries | Falls from tractors, equipment, or farm structures; being struck by vehicles or livestock |
| Heat Stroke & Dehydration | Lack of access to water, shade, or rest breaks in extreme heat |
| Chemical Exposure | Spraying pesticides without protection or working near recently treated areas |
| Amputations or Crush Injuries | Lack of training around dangerous equipment or machinery |
| Respiratory Injuries | Breathing in dust, fertilizers, or fumes from confined areas |
| Repetitive Stress or Overuse Injuries | Long hours of stooping, lifting, or picking without proper gear |
| Psychological Trauma | Exploitation, coercion, or witnessing traumatic events on the job |
Children and migrant laborers are especially vulnerable to these conditions due to their age, limited rights, or lack of access to safety education.
Special Legal Protections for Children and Migrant Workers
Despite these vulnerabilities, legal remedies are available under both Texas and federal law. These include:
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Restricts the type and timing of work minors can perform, including age minimums and hazardous task prohibitions
- Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA): Requires safe housing, fair wages, and disclosure of working conditions for migrant workers
- OSHA Agricultural Standards: Mandate heat protection, sanitation, and field safety
- Texas Negligence Law: Farm owners and supervisors can be held liable for injuries caused by failure to protect vulnerable workers
When these rights are violated and injury results, Williford Law aggressively pursues claims for justice and compensation.
Who May Be Liable?
We investigate all potential sources of liability in these cases, which may include:
- Farm or ranch owners who allow unsafe work by minors or fail to supervise vulnerable workers
- Labor contractors or crew leaders who misrepresent job conditions or fail to train workers
- Chemical suppliers or sprayers who expose workers without warning
- Equipment owners who fail to provide machine guards or training
- Third-party transportation providers are responsible for injuries in transit
In many cases, there is joint liability between multiple parties who failed to uphold basic duties of care.
Types of Compensation Available
We fight to secure maximum compensation under Texas law for:
- Emergency and long-term medical treatment
- Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Wrongful death damages (if applicable)
We also evaluate punitive damages where egregious safety violations or exploitation occurred.
Why Choose Williford Law?
- Dedicated to fighting for underrepresented workers and families
- Deep knowledge of agricultural injury, child labor, and migrant worker law
- Strong relationships with bilingual investigators, advocates, and safety experts
- No attorney’s fee unless we win
We understand the cultural, linguistic, and legal barriers that make these cases difficult, and we’re not afraid to take them on.
