Rule 820.Workers' Compensation Law

Last amended April 1, 1984 · Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 820 adopts as rules of court the practice-and-procedure portions of the Workers' Compensation Law (Articles 8306-8309-1, Revised Civil Statutes) and their amendments, keeping that specialized procedure in force alongside these rules.

Full Text of Rule 820

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All portions of the Workers' Compensation Law, Articles 8306--8309-1, Revised Civil Statutes, and amendments thereto, which relate to matters of practice and procedure are hereby adopted and retained in force and effect as rules of court.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 820 preserves a body of specialized procedure. The Workers' Compensation Law carried its own practice-and-procedure provisions in Articles 8306 through 8309-1 of the Revised Civil Statutes. Rather than displace them, this rule adopts and retains those portions, and their amendments, as rules of court, so compensation cases keep the procedure the legislature built for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Texas civil procedure treat workers' compensation cases?

Rule 820 adopts the practice-and-procedure parts of the Workers' Compensation Law as rules of court, keeping that specialized procedure in force.

Which statutes does Rule 820 preserve?

The practice-and-procedure portions of the Workers' Compensation Law found in Articles 8306 through 8309-1 of the Revised Civil Statutes, along with their amendments.

Why does workers' compensation procedure get separate treatment from the general rules?

Rule 820 adopts and keeps those provisions in force as rules of court instead of folding compensation cases into the general procedure, preserving the specialized process the legislature had already built for them.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 820), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: workers compensation procedure adopted as rules of courtTRCP 820Articles 8306 8309-1 Revised Civil Statutes procedureworkers compensation lawsuit procedure TexasRule 820 special procedure preserved