Academy Sports + Outdoors Workers’ Compensation Claims

A workplace injury can upend your life in an instant—especially at a fast-paced retailer like Academy Sports + Outdoors. In high-pressure environments like this, safety training is often rushed or inconsistent, increasing the risk of serious accidents. What makes things more complex is that Academy Sports + Outdoors does not participate in Texas’s workers’ compensation program and is classified as a non-subscriber. This choice has significant implications for your rights as an injured employee. Non-subscribers give up certain legal protections, which may strengthen your ability to seek compensation—but you’ll likely need to prove that the company’s negligence contributed to your injury. Because of these added complexities, Academy Sports + Outdoors workers’ compensation claims often require experienced legal guidance. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we stand with injured employees and fight to help them recover the full compensation they deserve.

Looking for a personal injury lawyer near you in Houston, TX?

We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.

Send Us a Message Call us

Were You Injured in a Workplace Accident at Academy Sports + Outdoors?

Even though Academy Sports + Outdoors is a non-subscriber to Texas workers’ compensation insurance, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. In fact, your rights may be broader than you think.

Non-subscriber employers like Academy can still be held legally accountable for workplace injuries if they were even slightly negligent. The law in Texas places stricter liability on non-subscribers, meaning companies lose access to certain defenses that would normally protect them in injury cases. This includes contributory negligence and assumption of risk. If your injury was caused by unsafe conditions, lack of training, or defective equipment, you could have the right to take legal action through a personal injury claim. Holding a non-subscriber like Academy accountable may open the door to full financial recovery, including pain and suffering, future income loss, and more.

How to Tell If You Qualify as an Injured Worker in a Non-Subscriber Case

Non-subscriber injury claims are different from standard workers’ compensation. Here’s how you can determine if you may qualify:

• You were injured while performing your job duties.
• The incident occurred at a Texas Academy Sports + Outdoors location.
• Your injury was caused by unsafe work conditions, faulty equipment, lack of proper supervision, or another form of employer negligence.
• You were not solely at fault for your injury.

If these factors apply, you may have a valid legal claim. Remember, Texas law significantly limits the defenses available to non-subscriber employers, which can work in your favor during a lawsuit.

Suffered a Workplace Injury?

Take immediate action to protect your rights. According to Texas Law Help, employees whose employers do carry workers’ compensation insurance must report injuries within 30 days of the incident and submit Form DWC-041 to the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC), within one year.

Academy Sports + Outdoors, as a non-subscriber, is not part of this system, meaning those specific reporting deadlines may not apply. However, it is still essential to notify your supervisor, document your injury, and seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Strong documentation can be key to protecting your rights and building a strong legal claim. Employees should also keep copies of all reports, medical bills, and communications with supervisors, as these records may strengthen your position if legal action becomes necessary. In non-subscriber claims, clear evidence can make all the difference.

Understanding Non-Subscriber Work Injury Claims

In Texas, employers are not required to participate in the state’s workers’ compensation system. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, when a company chooses to “go bare” and opt out of the state’s workers’ compensation system, it takes on added legal risk. This includes potential exposure to personal injury lawsuits and uncapped financial damages awarded to injured employees.

What does this mean for injured Academy employees?

• You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
• You can seek broader types of compensation, including for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and long-term medical care.
• Academy cannot use certain defenses that are normally available in other personal injury claims, such as assumption of risk or co-worker negligence. 

Because Academy Sports + Outdoors has opted out of the state’s workers’ compensation system, injured employees must pursue their claims through a different legal process, typically a negligence lawsuit. This can often result in higher compensation than traditional claims, but it also places a burden on the employee to prove fault. This puts you in a stronger legal position, but only if you take action early and with experienced legal guidance.

Common Types of Work Injuries at Academy Sports + Outdoors

Working in a retail warehouse or store setting comes with a wide range of physical risks. We’ve seen Academy Sports + Outdoors employees suffer injuries such as:

• Back injuries from lifting heavy stock or overexertion while moving inventory.
• Slips and falls on wet, uneven, or cluttered floors, including warehouse aisles.
• Head trauma from falling objects such as improperly stacked merchandise or unsecured stock.
• Cuts and abrasions from box cutters, shelving units, or damaged packaging.
• Repetitive stress injuries from scanning items, stocking shelves, or prolonged standing without ergonomic support.
• Bruises and sprains from collisions with carts, forklifts, or stockroom equipment.

These injuries often result in steep medical costs, missed paychecks, and lasting physical challenges. Without proper safety protocols or adequate training, these injuries may not only impact daily responsibilities but can also require extended recovery periods, costly rehabilitation, and sometimes even permanent work restrictions. Employers must provide safe working conditions to reduce these risks.

Top Injuries Reported by Academy Sports + Outdoors Employees

Employees of Academy have reported serious injuries stemming from day-to-day hazards, including:

• Musculoskeletal injuries due to improper lifting technique, repetitive strain, or lack of ergonomic training.
• Knee and ankle injuries from falls, trips, or sudden twists during movement, often in stockrooms or crowded aisles.
• Shoulder injuries resulting from repetitive overhead stock handling, especially without adequate breaks or support.
• Concussions or neck injuries from objects falling from stock shelves, particularly in high-volume backstock areas.
• Hand injuries, including lacerations, fractures, and crush injuries from using box cutters, handling merchandise, or working near mechanical equipment.
• Foot injuries, such as fractures or sprains caused by dropped merchandise, pallet jacks, or improper footwear.
• Burns or skin irritations from cleaning chemicals or contact with heated equipment in breakroom or maintenance areas.

If you’ve experienced any of these, it’s essential to act quickly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Could You Receive for a Workplace Injury?

In a non-subscriber claim, you’re not limited by workers’ compensation caps—you may be entitled to pursue broader compensation, including:

• Full medical expenses.
• Future treatment costs.
• Lost wages and future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Loss of quality of life.
• Emotional distress caused by prolonged recovery or permanent impairment.

Every case is different, but a successful non-subscriber lawsuit may result in significantly greater compensation than a traditional claim. With the right evidence and legal guidance, you can hold your employer accountable and protect your future.

Academy Sports + Outdoors and Non-Subscriber Injury Claims

It’s important to understand how Academy’s status as a non-subscriber affects your rights. While many employees don’t realize it, this legal choice shifts much of the risk squarely onto the company. Academy Sports + Outdoors has the same duty as any other employer to maintain a safe working environment, implement proper training programs, and address hazards before injuries occur.

If you were injured because they failed in that duty, you have the legal right to hold them accountable. However, unlike a workers’ compensation claim, you’ll need to show that your injury resulted from your employer’s negligence, which may involve demonstrating unsafe working conditions, insufficient staffing, or failure to provide protective equipment.

That’s where legal help becomes invaluable. The process includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing internal safety protocols and company policies, and building a compelling case on your behalf to pursue maximum compensation.

Speak With Our Legal Team About Your Injury Claim

Questions about Academy Sports + Outdoors’ workers’ compensation claims can arise after an injury on the job, and acting quickly is essential. Legal deadlines in Texas can impact your ability to recover full damages, especially in non-subscriber cases like these. The sooner you take action, the more time your attorney has to investigate your claim, preserve evidence, and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we’re committed to standing by injured workers and guiding them through every step of the legal process. Call 832-402-6637 today for a free consultation.

Scott Armstrong

Scott Armstrong obtains remarkable results for his clients. He has successfully tried numerous cases to favorable verdicts and reached significant settlements on his clients’ behalf, recovering millions for them. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.

Scott is known for his aggressive approach to every case. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, an accolade awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys under forty and practicing for less than ten years. Houstonia Magazine, H-Texas Magazine, and others have recognized Scott as a “top lawyer” in Houston.

Get in touch with Scott Armstrong now.