# Can I Sue My Employer If I Signed an Arbitration Agreement? | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. An Arbitration Agreement Doesn’t Prevent You from Taking Legal Action 2. Arbitration Doesn’t Include a Trial by Jury 3. Arbitration Clauses Are Legally Binding 4. Contact the Houston Workers' Compensation Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help ![Can I Sue My Employer If I Signed an Arbitration Agreement in Texas?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Can-I-Sue-My-Employer-If-I-Signed-an-Arbitration-Agreement-in-Texas-300x195.jpg) Arbitration clauses are a common part of employment agreements in [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/). If you signed paperwork when you took a new job, there is a chance you unknowingly accepted an arbitration agreement. You might have given up your right to take your employer to court for issues such as discrimination, wage disputes, and wrongful termination. This doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that you can’t file a suit against your employer. Here’s what you need to know. Contact a [Houston arbitration clause attorney](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/) to learn more. ## An Arbitration Agreement Doesn’t Prevent You from Taking Legal Action First, understand that signing an arbitration agreement doesn’t take away your [legal rights as an employee](https://www.twc.texas.gov/services/employment-law/) in Texas. You still have a right to a workplace that’s free from discrimination and harassment, as well as the right to fair wages. If you face any type of employment conflict at work, such as a supervisor demoting you because of your sex or a disability, you have the right to notify the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and report what’s going on. You also have the right to pursue compensation from the employer. An arbitration agreement simply limits the *type* of legal action you can take against your employer. Instead of having the option to take your employer to trial in pursuit of reimbursement, you can only defend your rights in arbitration. Arbitration is less formal than a court trial. Therefore, it is often faster and cheaper for employers, making an arbitration clause an attractive addition to employee handbooks. During employment arbitration, employees have the opportunity (with their attorneys) to show the arbitrator evidence of the employer’s alleged wrongdoing. This evidence can include HR complaints, eyewitness accounts, and proof that the employer knew about the situation yet failed to offer a remedy. The employer will have the chance to rebut the employee’s claim with evidence of his/her own. Then, the arbitrator will make the final decision. Generally, employees cannot appeal the arbitration decisions. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Arbitration Doesn’t Include a Trial by Jury During arbitration, you, your employer, your respective attorneys, and a third-party arbitrator will review the dispute and evidence at hand. The arbitrator will act as the judge, determining the outcome of the arbitration instead of a jury. This can be a significant difference since, in most cases, juries are more sympathetic toward employees. Giving up your right to a trial by jury could ultimately affect the results of your case. If you signed an arbitration clause, the legal process will fulfill the terms of the clause. It’s important to read what you’re signing. Otherwise, you could be giving up significant legal rights without realizing what you’re doing. An employer can limit your legal options in many different ways through a wordy arbitration clause. Have an attorney review your employment documents before you sign to fully understand what rights you may be surrendering. ## Arbitration Clauses Are Legally Binding The instant you put your signature on an employment document that includes an arbitration agreement, you lose your right to take your employer to trial – even if that employer discriminates against you or wrongfully terminates you down the road. Consider this before signing. For the most part, arbitration agreements are legally binding for both employer and employee. Unless you refused to sign or simply never turned in the paperwork, you will have to abide by the rules of an arbitration clause. Remember, you always have the option to refuse to sign off on an arbitration agreement. You may have to take steps to opt out of this type of clause. Prepare, however, for the employer to refuse to hire you or terminate your employment. It is an employer’s right not to hire someone who won’t sign an arbitration agreement. An employment lawyer in Houston can help you find out if you signed an arbitration agreement, as well as what this might mean for your legal options during a conflict. If you have more questions concerning arbitration clauses, contact the Houston personal injury attorneys at Attorney Brian White and Associates now. We are standing by to help. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Contact the Houston Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. 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These types of welding [![https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/minimum-amount-of-auto-insurance-coverage-required-in-texas/](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Most-Dangerous-Jobs-in-the-U.S.-According-to-OSHA-1-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/most-dangerous-jobs-in-the-us-according-to-osha/) [Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S. According to OSHA](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/most-dangerous-jobs-in-the-us-according-to-osha/) It’s no secret that certain careers are riskier than others. Wondering if your job is one of the riskiest in [![How To Become A Heavy Equipment Operator In Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/how-to-become-a-heavy-equipment-operator-in-texas-300x158.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-become-a-heavy-equipment-operator-in-texas/) [How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-become-a-heavy-equipment-operator-in-texas/) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job opportunities for construction equipment operators are projected [![Top Five Mistakes Made After a Job Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/top-five-mistakes-made-after-a-job-injury/) [Top Five Mistakes Made After a Job Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/top-five-mistakes-made-after-a-job-injury/) On-the-job injuries and occupational illnesses happen regularly. Across the U.S., 2.7 million workers reported a --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/can-i-sue-my-employer-if-i-signed-an-arbitration-agreement/