Tex. Codes » Labor Code · TITLE 5. WORKERS' COMPENSATION · SUBTITLE B. DISCRIMINATION ISSUES · CHAPTER 451. DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED
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Tex. Lab. Code § 451.001 (2026)

Discrimination Against Employees Prohibited

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 451.001. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST EMPLOYEES PROHIBITED. A person may not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee because the employee has:

(1) filed a workers' compensation claim in good faith;

(2) hired a lawyer to represent the employee in a claim;

(3) instituted or caused to be instituted in good faith a proceeding under Subtitle A; or

(4) testified or is about to testify in a proceeding under Subtitle A.

Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 310 cases (20 in the last 5 years), 1994–2026 · leading case: Texas Mexican Ry. Co. v. Bouchet, 963 S.W.2d 52 (Tex. 1998).
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Texas Mexican Ry. Co. v. Bouchet, 963 S.W.2d 52 (Tex. 1998). · cites it 15× “The court held that an employee who files a claim under FELA, or hires an attorney to assist in a FELA claim, is protected from retaliation by Texas Labor Code section 451.001. 915 S.W.”
Sw. Bell Tel. Co. v. Garza, 164 S.W.3d 607 (Tex. 2004). · cites it 4× “However, because I conclude that Garza presented no clear and convincing evidence of "ill-will, spite, or a specific intent to cause injury," apart from evidence of the statutory violation itself, I concur in the Court's judgment reversing the award of punitive damages.”
J.M. Davidson, Inc. v. Webster, 128 S.W.3d 223 (Tex. 2003). · cites it 2× “See TEX. LAB. CODE § 451.001. Davidson denied Webster's allegations and filed a motion to compel binding arbitration under the company's alternative dispute resolution policy.”
Kerrville State Hosp. v. Fernandez, 28 S.W.3d 1 (Tex. 2000). · cites it 6× “Tex. Lab.Code § 451.001. That law clearly applies to private employers.”
Travis Cent. Appraisal Dist. v. Norman, 342 S.W.3d 54 (Tex. 2011). · cites it 3× “” Tex. Lab.Code § 451.001. The statute does not define the word “person.”
Michael Lee Thomas v. Ltv Corp., 39 F.3d 611 (5th Cir. 1994). · cites it 5× “§§ 141-87 (“LMRA”); and (2) whether Thomas’ claim for wrongful discharge under Tex. Labor Code § 451.001 (formerly Tex.Rev.”
Whole Foods Mkt. Sw., Inc. v. Tijerina, 979 S.W.2d 768 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1998). · cites it 5× “See Tex. Lab.Code Ann. § 451.001 (Vernon 1996).”
Cont'l Coffee Prods. Co. v. Cazarez, 937 S.W.2d 444 (Tex. 1997). · cites it 2× “002 with Tex. Lab.Code § 451.001, the same principles should apply to both.”
In re Odebrecht Constr., Inc., 548 S.W.3d 739 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2018). · cites it 3× “3d at 891 (collecting examples and citing TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. §§ 451.001 -.003 (West, Westlaw through 2017 1st C.”
Ballesteros v. Nueces Cnty., 286 S.W.3d 566 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2009). · cites it 4× “See TEX. LAB.CODE ANN. § 451.001 (Vernon 2006) (prohibiting the firing of an employee for, among other things, filing "a worker's compensation claim in good faith").”
Cardenas v. Bilfinger TEPSCO, Inc., 527 S.W.3d 391 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017). · cites it 3× “See Tex. Lab. Code Ann. § 451.001 (1); Dallas County v.”
Aust v. Conroe Indep. Sch. Dist., 153 S.W.3d 222 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2004). · cites it 4× “TEX. LAB.CODE ANN. § 451.001 (Vernon 1996); see Kerrville State Hosp.”
Show all 310 citing cases →
Tex. Lab. Code § 451.001(1): 43 cases
Sw. Bell Tel. Co. v. Garza, 164 S.W.3d 607 (Tex. 2004). “However, because I conclude that Garza presented no clear and convincing evidence of "ill-will, spite, or a specific intent to cause injury," apart from evidence of the statutory violation itself, I concur in the Court's judgment reversing the award of punitive damages.”
Travis Cent. Appraisal Dist. v. Norman, 342 S.W.3d 54 (Tex. 2011). “” Tex. Lab.Code § 451.001. The statute does not define the word “person.”
Brooks v. Pep Boys Auto. Super-Centers, 104 S.W.3d 656 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003).
Aust v. Conroe Indep. Sch. Dist., 153 S.W.3d 222 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2004). “TEX. LAB.CODE ANN. § 451.001 (Vernon 1996); see Kerrville State Hosp.”
Mitchell v. John Wiesner, Inc., 923 S.W.2d 262 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1996).
Tex. Lab. Code § 451.001(3): 1 case
Rogelio Salas v. Fluor Daniel Servs. Corp., 616 S.W.3d 137 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2020).
Tex. Lab. Code § 451.001(4): 2 cases
In re Odebrecht Constr., Inc., 548 S.W.3d 739 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2018). “3d at 891 (collecting examples and citing TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. §§ 451.001 -.003 (West, Westlaw through 2017 1st C.”
Griggs v. Triple S Indus. Corp., 197 S.W.3d 408 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2006).
Tex. Lab. Code § 451.001(l): 1 case
Haggar Clothing Co. v. Hernandez, 164 S.W.3d 386 (Tex. 2005).
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