State guides · LawyersTrend
Fired or underpaid in Texas? Wage and workplace rules
Pay rules and injury-claim deadlines for workers in Texas, each checked against the state code or labor agency. Federal law also applies and some cities set higher minimums.
The Texas rules, checked against the source
Minimum wage
Texas law requires employers to pay the federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Source: Tex. Labor Code § 62.051 · checked November 6, 2026
Is workers' comp required?
For most private employers in Texas, workers' compensation coverage is elective (public employers are an exception).
Source: Tex. Labor Code § 406.002(a) · checked November 6, 2026
Telling your employer about a work injury
Notify the employer not later than the 30th day after the injury occurs (for an occupational disease, from when the employee knew or should have known it may be work-related).
Source: Tex. Labor Code § 409.001 · checked November 6, 2026
Filing the comp claim
File a claim for compensation with the Division of Workers' Compensation not later than one year after the injury (occupational disease: from when the employee knew or should have known it was work-related).
Source: Tex. Labor Code § 409.003 · checked November 6, 2026
Temporary income benefits
Generally 70 percent of the difference between the average weekly wage and post-injury weekly earnings, subject to statutory limits.
Source: Tex. Labor Code § 408.103 · checked November 6, 2026
Rules not listed here were left out because we could not check them against an official Texas source. That does not mean no rule exists.
What this means for you
Keep your own records
Write down your hours, pay stubs, schedules and the names of supervisors involved. Records made at the time carry weight.
Check both state and federal rules
Federal law (the Fair Labor Standards Act) sets a floor. Where a state rule below is more protective, the state rule generally matters too.
Deadlines apply to wage and leave claims
Agency complaints and lawsuits have time limits. A lawyer licensed in the state can tell you which one applies to you.
Cities in Texas
For attorneys licensed in Texas
Sponsor the Texas guide
One firm per state guide, named in a labeled Sponsored placement. Sponsors must be licensed in Texas and review the advertising for compliance with their own state bar rules. We reply by email. This form is for attorneys only.
More on LawyersTrend
Wrongful termination on LawyersTrend
wasifired.com is a LawyersTrend site. It covers one area of law; the full directory, rankings and lien-doctor listings live on lawyerstrend.com.