Albertsons Workers’ Compensation Claims

A serious workplace injury can upend every part of your life—your health, income, and peace of mind. If you were hurt on the job at Albertsons, you may be surprised to learn that they don’t always carry traditional workers’ compensation coverage. That’s why Albertsons workers’ compensation claims fall under Texas’s complex non-subscriber laws, which create a very different legal path than standard workers’ comp. These claims require a clear understanding of your rights, careful documentation, and a strong legal strategy to hold the employer accountable. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we help injured employees take control of the process and fight for the compensation they deserve when dealing with non-subscriber employers like Albertsons, Randalls, and Tom Thumb.

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

Injured While Working at Randalls or Albertsons?

Yes, you still have legal rights. Being injured while working at Randalls or Albertsons doesn’t mean you’re without options, even if the company has opted out of the Texas workers’ compensation system. Texas stands out as one of the few states allowing private employers to decide whether to participate in traditional workers’ comp coverage. Companies that choose not to are identified as “non-subscribers.”

Even without subscribing to the state’s system, these employers remain legally responsible for maintaining a safe workplace. When negligence plays a role in an injury, such as failing to follow safety protocols, neglecting proper training, or ignoring known hazards, Texas law provides a path for injured employees to file a personal injury lawsuit. This legal avenue helps workers recover compensation and hold non-subscribers accountable for unsafe conditions.

Am I Considered an Injured Worker in a Non-Subscriber Case?

Yes, if you were hurt during the course and scope of employment. Whether you stock shelves, operate machinery, manage inventory, or clean the store, you are entitled to pursue legal action if your injury stems from employer negligence. In a non-subscriber case, we must prove your employer failed to provide a reasonably safe workplace. This includes showing how unsafe conditions, overlooked hazards, or unrealistic workloads contributed to the harm.

You don’t need to show that they intended to cause harm, only that a failure in training, supervision, equipment, or safety protocols led to your injury. This includes not being given the proper tools, overworking staff, or ignoring OSHA regulations. Even something as routine as rushing an employee to complete tasks without adequate support can be a key factor in proving employer negligence.

Your Guide to Non-Subscriber Claims

Handling Albertsons workers’ compensation claims under Texas’s non-subscriber laws can feel overwhelming. Let’s break down what matters most in these claims:

• Burden of proof shifts: Unlike traditional workers’ comp claims, you must prove the company was negligent.
• Damages are broader: You can seek compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, and future medical needs—damages that aren’t typically covered under workers’ comp.
• You retain the right to sue: If your employer is a non-subscriber, you have the right to bring a civil claim in court.

Compared to standard workers’ comp, these claims demand more legwork and legal insight. Investigating every detail, from accident reports and medical records to coworker statements and safety logs, is essential. Our team takes the time to gather everything necessary to prove fault and build a compelling case that reflects the full extent of your losses.

Randall’s Stores Across Texas: Houston, Austin, Dallas & More

Randalls operates across multiple metro areas in Texas, with locations in:

• Houston: A major hub for Randalls stores, where warehouse and floor injuries are frequently reported, due to high customer traffic and demanding physical tasks.
• Austin: With smaller storefronts and tight staffing, workplace fatigue, multitasking, and overexertion are common issues.
• Dallas: Larger locations with high inventory turnover create risks for sprains, back injuries, lifting accidents, and unsafe shelving practices during restocking.

No matter which city you work in, your rights as an employee remain consistent under Texas non-subscriber law. Each location may differ in size and staffing, but the obligation to provide a safe working environment does not change.

Is Randalls the Same as Tom Thumb?

Yes, they are part of the same corporate family. According to PromiseKit, Houston-based Randall’s Food Markets purchased Dallas-based Tom Thumb in 1992. Safeway later acquired both brands in 1999, placing them under a broader retail network with overlapping policies and employee procedures that influence store operations, staff expectations, and workplace safety guidelines across all locations.

Despite the name differences, legal claims involving work injuries at Tom Thumb follow the same processes as those at Randalls. Whether you’re working in the bakery at Tom Thumb or unloading shipments at Randalls, the legal process for pursuing compensation remains the same. Claims can involve similar safety oversights, from insufficient training to lack of protective gear. We pursue these cases with equal diligence, regardless of which brand or location you’re employed at, because your safety and rights deserve full protection.

Types of Work-Related Injuries at Randalls

Working in a grocery store like Albertsons can take a serious toll on your body, especially when you’re juggling repetitive tasks, long shifts, and not enough staff support. These physical demands are often made worse by fast-paced conditions and unrealistic workloads. According to OSHA Guidelines, common injuries in grocery stores include:

• Back injuries from overexertion or lifting heavy items
• Tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive motions
• Shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff strains
• Elbow issues like epicondylitis
• Trigger finger, often seen in cashiers and stockers

We’ve helped clients across the state file non-subscriber claims for all of these injury types. It’s important to seek immediate treatment, notify your supervisor, and carefully document how the injury occurred to protect your rights.

Common Workplace Injuries for Randalls and Albertsons Employees

In addition to musculoskeletal injuries, we often see cases involving:

• Slips and falls from wet floors or cluttered aisles, often caused by poor maintenance or hurried cleanups during peak store hours
• Cuts and punctures from broken packaging, stocking mistakes, or improperly stored sharp tools
• Heat exhaustion for warehouse and outdoor staff working in unventilated areas without adequate breaks or hydration
• Chemical exposure from industrial cleaning agents or food preparation products, especially when protective gear is missing or inadequate
• Injuries from unsafe equipment like defective ladders, malfunctioning pallet jacks, or unstable shelving left unsecured
• Repetitive strain injuries from tasks like stocking, scanning, or lifting with limited task rotation
• Falling object injuries when items are stacked improperly on overhead shelves or during truck unloading

Regardless of the specific injury, if your employer failed to provide a safe environment, they may be liable under Texas law.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive?

Non-subscriber claims allow broader recovery than standard workers’ comp. You could be eligible for:

• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Medical expenses, including surgery, rehab, and therapy
• Pain and emotional distress
• Disfigurement or disability damages

Unlike traditional systems that limit recovery, these claims open the door to more comprehensive compensation. Because non-subscriber employers lose certain legal protections, they are more vulnerable in court. That means your claim could potentially result in higher compensation than traditional workers’ comp cases, especially when your injury leads to long-term impairment, emotional trauma, or the inability to return to your previous role.

Non-Subscriber Work Injury Claims: Randalls and Albertsons

Navigating a non-subscriber claim requires precision. While compensation may be available, legal hurdles often stand in the way. Employers typically retain experienced legal teams to deny or minimize liability, making it critical to approach these cases with strategy and persistence. Delays, document gaps, or vague accident details can quickly be used against you, so preparation is key from the beginning. Anticipating the employer’s defense strategies and gathering timely, detailed evidence is crucial to building a strong foundation.

We build each case around solid evidence, proving how your injury happened, what safety measures were ignored, and how your life has changed. Medical reports, eyewitness testimony, and safety violations all become important tools. If you need to file Albertsons workers’ compensation claims or report a work injury at Randalls or Tom Thumb, you are not alone.

Let’s Talk About Your Injury—Call for a Free Consultation

Hurt on the job at Albertsons, Randalls, or Tom Thumb? Don’t wait to get the answers you need. A workplace injury can disrupt your health, finances, and future, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we help workers file Albertsons workers’ compensation claims and fight for the full compensation they deserve. Call 832-402-6637 today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let’s take the first step toward protecting your rights and rebuilding your life.

Joshua Lee

Joshua Lee believes in aggressive, tough advocacy and a client-centered approach to every case. Joshua draws from a wide body of experiences and a robust understanding of the law. Joshua graduated from the New York University School of Law in New York City, which is considered among the best law schools in the world. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.

Get in touch with Joshua Lee now.