It certainly wouldn’t hurt to talk to a personal injury attorney, but try to find one that also specializes in worker’s compensation.  Employers are not required to participate in the worker’s compensation system in Texas, but if they do, their liability for injuries to their employees is significantly.  There are some limited exceptions where an employee can sue their employer for more damages than allowed in the worker’s comp system.  These situations usually involve something other than negligent conduct by an employer.   A consultation with a personal injury/worker’s comp attorney can help you understand whether or not any of those exceptions would apply to your brother-in-law’s situation.  If you brother-in-law’s employer is not part of the worker’s compensation system, then he may have even more settlement options available.