Seasonal Workers in Texas: Understanding Your Rights After a Retail Workplace Injury

Every year, thousands of seasonal workers step in to support Texas retailers during the busy holiday months. Stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, and other major department retailers rely heavily on seasonal employees to keep shelves stocked, handle customer traffic, and maintain operations.

But with the rush of the season comes something else we see far too often: unsafe working conditions that lead to preventable injuries.

Seasonal workers frequently face cluttered stockrooms, crowded aisles, understaffed departments, and supervisors who cut corners to keep up with holiday demands. These conditions put workers at real risk—and many don’t know that they have rights when they’re hurt because an employer fails to keep the workplace safe.

At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we want every seasonal worker to understand exactly what protections they have under Texas law.

Texas Retailers Owe Seasonal Workers a Safe Workplace

Whether you’re stocking shelves, organizing merchandise, or helping customers, your employer owes you a safe work environment. This duty applies to seasonal workers just as much as full-time employees.

Some of the most common dangers we see include:

• Cluttered Stockrooms and Walkways

Boxes stacked in aisles, merchandise left on the ground, and tight storage spaces create serious tripping and falling hazards.

• Lack of Proper Assistance

Seasonal workers are often pressured to lift heavy items or perform risky tasks without help—just to “be a team player.”

• Supervisors Ignoring Safety Rules

If supervisors aren’t enforcing company safety policies, the company can be held responsible for the injuries that result.

• Rushed Holiday Work Conditions

Retailers often move fast and cut corners during peak holiday season, which increases the chances of an accident.

No matter how busy the store gets, you should never have to risk your safety just to get the job done.

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Seasonal Workers Often Don’t Know Their Rights

Because many seasonal employees are temporary, they may feel they don’t have a voice—or that speaking up might cost them their job. But that’s not how Texas law works.

Under Texas law, employers—especially non-subscribers who opt out of traditional workers’ compensation—can be held financially responsible if:

• They fail to provide a safe workplace
• They don’t give you the help or manpower needed to perform tasks safely
• Supervisors violate company safety rules
• They require you to work around hazards like clutter, spills, or unstable merchandise

If you were hurt because your employer failed to follow basic safety procedures, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

This can include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Physical limitations
• Long-term or permanent effects of the injury

You don’t have to suffer silently—and you don’t have to try to navigate this process alone.

Don’t Take on Unsafe Tasks Just to Be “Helpful”

Seasonal workers often want to make a great impression so they can secure future job opportunities or help the team during busy shifts. But taking on dangerous tasks without proper support puts you at unnecessary risk.

If a supervisor asks you to:

• Lift or move heavy boxes alone
• Climb unstable ladders
• Clear cluttered stockrooms
• Work in unsafe conditions
• Handle tasks outside your training

—you have the right to protect yourself and say no.

Your safety should always come first. A company that requires you to push through unsafe conditions should be held accountable when those conditions cause an injury.

What To Do If You’re Hurt While Working a Seasonal Job in Texas

If you’re injured at a retail job—whether at Macy’s, Nordstrom, or any Texas employer—here are the steps to take:

1. Report the incident immediately to a supervisor.
2. Document everything, including photos of hazards.
3. Get medical care as soon as possible.
4. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies.
5. Speak with an experienced Texas workplace injury attorney.

The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better we can protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence.

Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP Fights for Injured Seasonal Workers

Our firm has represented countless Texans hurt while working for non-subscriber employers. We understand the pressure seasonal workers face—and we know how quickly an injury can change your life.

Our approach is simple:

• Compassionate support when you need it most
• Relentless advocacy against employers who failed to protect you
• Clear, constant communication so you always know what’s happening with your case
• A commitment to justice for every injured worker we represent

If a retailer didn’t give you the help, safety, or support you needed—and you were injured because of it—you may have a strong claim for compensation.

Injured While Working a Seasonal Job? We’re Here to Help.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’re a seasonal worker hurt in a Texas store, we’re ready to stand up for you.

📞 Call Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP for a free consultation.
Let us help you protect your rights and get the justice you deserve.

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.

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