Were you fired, demoted, or punished after reporting wrongdoing at your Houston job? With 28 years of experience, Houston retaliation attorney Jack Nichols represents Harris County and Greater Houston employees in retaliation cases. Whether you work in the energy sector, healthcare, construction, or any other Houston industry, our firm is ready to fight for your rights.
Workplace Retaliation in Houston, Texas
Houston is one of the largest and most economically diverse cities in the country — home to the energy industry, the Texas Medical Center, major ports, and countless businesses. Texas and federal law prohibit your Houston employer from punishing you for exercising your legal rights. You may have a Houston retaliation claim if you were fired or punished because you:
- Reported or complained about discrimination or harassment at your Houston workplace;
- Took or requested Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave;
- Requested a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the ADA;
- Filed a Workers’ Compensation claim after a workplace injury in Houston;
- Complained about unpaid wages or overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA);
- Refused to commit an illegal act (Sabine Pilot);
- Reported a patient safety violation as a Houston healthcare worker; or
- Opposed other unlawful conduct at your Houston employer.
Houston Industries Where Retaliation Is Most Common
Our Houston retaliation attorneys represent employees throughout Harris County and the Greater Houston area, including:
- Oil, gas, and energy — Houston’s energy sector employees frequently face retaliation after safety complaints and wage disputes;
- Texas Medical Center and healthcare — nurses, physicians, and hospital workers who report patient safety concerns are protected from retaliation;
- Construction and maritime — Houston’s ports and job sites see frequent retaliation following Workers’ Compensation claims;
- Logistics and transportation — overtime and wage violations are common, and employees who complain often face retaliation; and
- Hospitality and service — retaliation for wage complaints is a frequent problem across Houston’s service industry.
How to File a Retaliation Claim in Houston, Texas
Most Houston retaliation claims require filing a Charge of Discrimination with the EEOC’s Houston District Office (1919 Smith Street, Houston, TX) or the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) before filing suit:
- EEOC deadline: Generally 300 days from the act of retaliation;
- TWC deadline: Generally 180 days from the act of retaliation.
FMLA and Workers’ Compensation retaliation claims have separate deadlines. Contact a Houston retaliation attorney immediately — missing a deadline permanently ends your case. Learn more on our EEOC & TWC page.
What Can You Recover in a Houston Retaliation Case?
Houston employees who prevail in retaliation cases may recover:
- Back pay — lost wages from the retaliatory act through trial;
- Front pay — anticipated future lost earnings when reinstatement is not practical;
- Compensatory damages — emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life;
- Punitive damages — when your Houston employer acted with malice or reckless disregard for your rights;
- Lost benefits — health insurance, retirement, and other employment benefits; and
- Attorneys’ fees and costs — a prevailing Houston employee may recover attorney’s fees.
Frequently Asked Questions — Houston Workplace Retaliation
Q: My Houston employer fired me the day after I filed an EEOC complaint. Is that retaliation?
A: That timing is very strong evidence of retaliation. Contact our Houston retaliation attorneys immediately — this is an extremely actionable fact pattern.
Q: I work in Houston’s energy sector and was pushed out after reporting a safety violation. What are my rights?
A: Texas and federal whistleblower laws protect energy sector employees who report safety violations. Several statutes may protect you depending on your employer. Contact us to discuss your situation.
Q: How quickly do I need to act on a Houston retaliation claim?
A: Immediately. Houston retaliation claims can have deadlines as short as 180 days. Call our Houston retaliation attorney today.
Contact a Houston Retaliation Attorney — Free Consultation
If your Houston employer has retaliated against you, contact attorney Jack Nichols today. Our firm has fights for Greater Houston and Harris County employees. Call (512) 595-1269 for a free confidential consultation. We represent employees throughout Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Katy, Baytown, and across the Greater Houston area.
For the full legal framework on Texas retaliation claims, visit our Texas Retaliation Attorney page.
Important: Employment law claims have strict filing deadlines.
The Law Office of Jack Quentin Nichols, PLLC
Texas Discrimination Attorney | Texas Employment, Retaliation & Sexual Harassment Attorney | 28 Years of Experience
Licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1997 | Former Texas Attorney General’s Office representing the Texas Workforce Commission |
Member: State Bar of Texas — Labor & Employment Section | Texas Employment Lawyers Association (TELA)
Admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and the
United States District Courts for the Western, Southern, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Texas.
Representing employees in Austin, Houston, San Antonio & all of Texas.
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