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Serious Injuries. Strong Lawyer. 214-932-1288 | ARMSTRONGLAWYER.COM | APRIL 2025
WHY WORKPLACE SAFETY REGULATIONS MATTER The High Cost of Cutting Corners
One wrong moment on the job can change everything. A slip on a slick floor, a faulty harness, or a rushed shortcut by an employer trying to cut costs, and suddenly, a worker’s life is forever altered or, worse, taken too soon. I see it often — families shattered, careers ended, and corporations treating people like numbers instead of human beings. Worker’s Memorial Day is on April 28, a time to remember the people who tragically died or sustained serious injuries due to a workplace accident. It’s an essential reminder that companies can prevent workplace injuries and are responsible for keeping their teams safe. In Texas, where the laws are often stacked against injured workers, it’s especially crucial to understand your rights and legal options. I’ve always been service-focused, from my early jobs in food service to the clients I represent now in personal injury cases. In law school, I knew I wasn’t interested in working for insurance companies and defending people who were wrong. I wanted to help real people who had faced unfair treatment. It didn’t take long for me to realize that many of the lawyers I was up against represented companies that viewed their employees as expendable assets. It’s just not right. There are unsafe practices and cutting corners in many industries, and it can so easily lead to people getting injured, maimed, or killed. Texas is a unique landscape for work-related injuries because it’s the only state where companies are not required to subscribe to workers’ comp insurance. Though this can confuse employees who become hurt on the job, it doesn’t mean workers have no rights. An employee at a non-subscriber company can sue their employer for compensation, and even if a company has workers’ comp, there is still an exception to the rule. In sad cases where workplace negligence leads to death, the surviving family members can sue the company under gross negligence.
Lots of workers we have helped or who have sadly passed away fell from great heights. Imagine a construction worker up on a roof slipping and falling six feet down. If they land on their head, it could prove to be fatal. It’s not just physical pain that comes with being hurt on the job. There are many uncertainties to figure out as you recover. One of the biggest fears I hear from clients is the worry about their career ending and anxiety over how that next paycheck will come. Thankfully, with non-subscriber companies, you can fight for compensation to cover the time frame you can’t return to work. Just be cautious — you are required to seek treatment from a doctor approved by your company. If you are an employee in Texas and get hurt while working, you must first report it to your employer. Make sure to include every little detail about the injuries you sustained. Even if an injury and pain you’re feeling in the moment seem minor, document it because, down the road, you could have complications from those seemingly minor aches. It’s easy for an employer to dispute that if you didn’t include it in your initial report. That minor soreness you thought might disappear could linger and even become your most serious symptom.
Regulations and safety standards exist to prevent unnecessary tragedies. Some of the current conversations about reducing or
eliminating OSHA are deeply concerning. Workplace safety regulations help ensure companies don’t treat employees as disposable. Without oversight, we’d go back to a Wild West era where injuries and fatalities were abundant. I’ve seen firsthand when safety takes a backseat to profits, and it’s devastating for families. No job should cost a person’s well-being or life.
Workplace injuries are prevalent, and we see many cases where people have sustained severe back, shoulder, and knee injuries.
–Warren Armstrong
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ARMSTRONGLAWYER.COM
PARENTING TEENS Tips for Handling Conflict With Care
As kids grow into teens and young adults, family dynamics often change. Gaining more independence naturally becomes their priority, which can lead to more conflicts at home. Whether disagreeing over curfews, arguing about responsibilities, or struggling with differing communication styles, these challenges can feel new to many parents. Conflicts don’t have to create division, though. They can even strengthen your relationship if you handle them with care. Key Strategies for Conflict Resolution Engage in active listening. Sometimes, the best way to avoid or defuse conflict is just to listen. Active listening helps strengthen relationships by showing your teen you care and understand their perspective. Reflect on their feelings to show you’re paying attention (e.g., “It sounds like you’re upset because you feel misunderstood.”). This approach helps teens feel heard and makes it less likely they’ll get defensive. Collaborate on solutions. Instead of imposing rules or decisions on your teen, involve them in finding resolutions. Collaboration and negotiation show their input matters. Open discussions foster mutual respect and help build a
foundation for long-term trust and understanding. When collaborating, ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think would be fair?” or “How can we make this better for everyone?”
Set clear, respectful boundaries. Teens still need structure, but how you enforce boundaries matters. Respect their growing independence by explaining the reasoning behind rules and allowing room for compromise. You can also demonstrate the behavior you expect from your teen by setting and maintaining your boundaries. Modeling appropriate boundary-setting in your interactions shows them how to establish and respect limits in their relationships, which can benefit them long after they leave home. Building Stronger Bonds Through Conflict The teenage years bring rapid changes in how teens relate to their world and families. Conflict is common during this formative period, but it doesn’t have to be a battle — it can be a bridge. With patience, empathy, and the right strategies, you can foster a bond that not only survives the teen years but thrives because of them.
SIMPLE WAYS TO STOP DISTRACTED DRIVING Multitasking Can Wait
Prepare in Advance To set yourself up for a distraction-free drive, prepare beforehand. Get settled before you start driving. If you want cruising music, connect to Bluetooth or find your station before the car starts moving so you don’t spend valuable seconds flipping through channels. Get your GPS going with directions so you aren’t frequently checking your phone while in motion. It’s also wise to get a sense of the weather and any road delays before you leave the house so you can anticipate any alternative routes or delays. Team Up With Passengers If you are carpooling or have a passenger, they can help you take care of any distractions that arise so you can focus on the road. Ask them to take care of navigation, any phone calls or texts, and to be an extra set of eyes. On the flip side, do your best not to create extra distractions if you’re in the passenger seat.
Every second counts when you’re behind the wheel. A quick glance at your phone, finding a new song, or any other momentary distraction could be the difference between a safe trip and a life-altering crash. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a crucial reminder that multitasking has no place on the road. Buckle up because this month, we’re sharing three tips to stay focused behind the wheel. Stow Your Phone One of the biggest distractions in a vehicle is your phone, so it’s best to turn it off or place it somewhere out of reach when driving, like your glove compartment. Most devices today have multiple functions to block calls and texts when you’re behind the wheel, delaying the messages until you’ve designated that you’re at a complete stop. If you really need to answer a phone call, you should safely pull over and come to a complete stop. In Texas, it’s illegal to text, read, or write emails while you are driving, and most other states have some kind of distracted driving laws.
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214-932-1288
Understanding Third-Party Liability at Work Negligence on the Jobsite?
Shared Liability Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover compensation for your injuries if you were less than 51% at fault for the accident. If you are determined to be partly responsible, it will reduce the money you receive. For example, if you work on a job site and the subcontractor fails to secure equipment, causing a brick to fall on your head, they may argue you’re partly at fault for failing to wear a hard hat. If you are found to be 30% liable, you can only recover 70% of your damages.
Getting hurt on the job is bad enough, but what if someone other than your employer is to blame? In Texas, companies don’t have to carry workers’ compensation, but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options if you are injured on the job. If a negligent third party — like a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or another driver — played a role in your injury, you may be able to file a third-party liability claim against them. Understanding this liability could be the difference between a basic benefits check and the full compensation you deserve. Who Could Be Held Liable? Imagine you’re working at your construction job when a delivery driver from another company backs into you, causing you serious injuries. This is just one example of a potential third-party liability case. Other scenarios could involve manufacturers
whose defective machinery or equipment led to an injury or subcontractors whose negligent actions caused harm. Proving Liability It’s crucial to report the incident to your supervisor, and OSHA requires employers to keep records of any serious work-related injuries. Many work sites have video cameras on the premises, and if any surveillance footage captured the accident, it could be vital evidence in your case. Collect witness statements and contact information from anyone who may have seen the accident. If there’s any physical evidence like defective equipment or blood-stained clothing, save those and photograph any visible injuries. The medical records from your visits to the doctor, hospital, or follow-up care like physical therapy also serve as important evidence in your case.
If you’ve been injured at work due to negligence, you may have more legal options than you realize. Contact Armstrong Law today!
CLASSIC FISH FRY
WE VALUE YOUR REFERRALS
INGREDIENTS • Vegetable oil • 2 lbs fresh cod •
Salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
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3 Armstrong Law specializes in workplace accident cases for employees of businesses in Texas that do not have workers’ comp insurance. We understand the nuances of these cases and have the resources to take on large “nonsubscriber” employers. To refer an injury case involving a nonsubscriber employer to our practice, call us at 214-932-1288 .
2 large eggs 2 tbsp water
2 cups plain bread crumbs 1/2 tsp mustard powder 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Lemon wedges
DIRECTIONS 1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper.
3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
12720 HILLCREST RD. STE. 615 | DALLAS, TX 75230 214-932-1288 | ARMSTRONGLAWYER.COM
INSIDE
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No Worker Should Be Disposable
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Turn Teen Disagreements Into Growth
How to Stay Focused Behind the Wheel
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A Third Party Could Owe You Compensation
Classic Fish Fry
We Value Your Referrals
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The Psychology of Celebrating Small Wins
Practical Ways to Celebrate Small Wins
Working toward big goals is a rewarding and exciting process, but it can also feel overwhelming. It’s easy to get bogged down thinking about how far you still have to go, but you can use a simple strategy to maintain your momentum: Focus on small achievements. The Science of Small Wins While seemingly insignificant, celebrating small wins has psychological benefits that can carry over into every aspect of your life. When you celebrate small achievements, your brain releases dopamine, the “feel good” chemical that lifts your mood and motivates you to keep going. This positive reinforcement generates momentum, making it much easier to tackle the next step. Acknowledging small wins also has a measurable impact on mental health. It reduces stress, improves resilience, and helps build a growth mindset. Focusing on your accomplishments allows you to alter your perspective, and you learn to see challenges as opportunities for growth.
Incorporating small celebrations into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated, so here are three strategies to help you get started.
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Track your achievements in a progress journal. Seeing progress in writing can be very rewarding and provide much-needed motivation when things get difficult. Share your win with friends and family. When you celebrate your achievements with others, you strengthen personal connections and add positivity to the experience. Reward yourself. Even simple rewards reinforce the habit of recognizing progress and help make the journey more enjoyable.
WHY EVERY WIN MATTERS Celebrate the Small Things
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Achieving small goals is always worth celebrating. Acknowledging every step forward, no matter how seemingly insignificant, helps you stay motivated and confident while improving your overall mental well-being.
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