An Experienced Personal Injury Legal Team Dedicated to Helping Injured Victims Seek Compensation Following Construction Accidents 

While nearly every workplace has the potential of accidents resulting in severe injuries or even wrongful deaths, there are, of course, some professions and workplaces that are more dangerous than others. Construction sites are among the most dangerous and deadly workplaces in the country, and employees are put at risk on a nearly daily basis when handling heavy machinery, working with hazardous chemicals, and being exposed to other potential dangers. When a construction worker is injured on the job, they deserve the right to seek fair compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and other financial or non-financial losses. However, the legal process for obtaining a fair settlement in a construction site accident case can be incredibly complex, in part due to Texas’s workers’ compensation coverage laws.

If you have been injured in a construction zone, our personal injury lawyers can help you seek the maximum compensation that your case is worth by exploring all potential legal options, presenting vital evidence, and potentially proving negligence in your case. Our Southern Texas law firm has extensive experience serving clients in personal injury legal matters in McAllen and the surrounding areas, including the Rio Grande Valley. As your legal representation, we will consider the possibility of filing a personal injury claim against a negligent third party, as well as assisting you in filing a workers’ comp claim with your employers.

For assistance with the claims process and support holding responsible parties accountable, please contact our McAllen-based law office to discuss your case in a free consultation. In addition to offering free, no-obligation case evaluations, we also operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not owe us any legal fees until we secure a settlement in your case.

What Steps Should Injured Construction Workers Take Immediately After an Accident? 

 The immediate aftermath of a construction accident is a critical time in which injured victims must take steps to safeguard their well-being as well as defend their legal rights.

Your first concern should be to call 911 to request the arrival of law enforcement and, more importantly, medical attention. Failure to seek immediate medical treatment following a construction site injury could result in your injuries worsening, as well as potentially devaluing your claims.

Your next order of business should be to report the accident to your employers, whether that be the construction company itself or your supervisors. Doing so will begin the legal process of establishing a construction accident claim and your workers’ compensation claims process.

If you are physically able, gather as much evidence from the accident scene as possible to help support your claims and prove which parties are responsible for your injuries. Take photos of any visible injuries, property damage, environmental conditions, time of day, and any other relevant details. If there were any witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information so that they can provide testimony later.

We encourage you to contact our Texas construction accident lawyers as soon as possible following the incident. Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly evaluate your claim and provide comprehensive assistance throughout the entire legal process. This includes negotiating with insurance companies, conducting investigations, ensuring timely filing of all necessary documentation, and helping you pursue a favorable outcome.

What Are Common Injuries Suffered in Texas Construction Site Accidents? 

The severity of your injuries will depend on various factors, including the speed at which you seek medical care following the accident.

Some of the most common construction accident injuries include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Crushing injuries
• Degloving injuries
• Pain and suffering and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Burns and heavy scarring
• Concussions and other forms of head trauma
• Serious illnesses caused by exposure to toxic chemicals and hazardous waste
• Electrocution
• Spinal cord injuries, which can result in complete or partial paralysis
• Eye injuries, including vision loss
• Broken bones and fractures, including fractured skulls
• Neck, back, and shoulder injuries
• Soft tissue injuries, including those to the knees or ankles
• Loss of hearing
• Forced amputations
• Nerve damage
• Chest injuries, particularly broken ribs
• Foreign object puncture wounds, including becoming impaled
• Near-drowning incidents
• Cancer or other forms of disease
• Smoke inhalation
• Disfigurement, particularly to the face
• Internal bleeding and organ damage or loss of organ function
• Fatal injuries
• And various types of catastrophic injuries

What Are the Different Types of Construction Accident Cases Our Legal Team Represents? 

At our firm, we represent clients in all types of construction site accidents. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, there are almost two injuries reported for every 100 construction workers statewide, making the construction industry one of the most dangerous places of employment in the Lone Star State.

Examples of the different types of construction injury accident cases we represent include the following:

• Slips and fall accidents caused by slippery or uneven surfaces
• Workers being struck in the head or neck by falling objects
• Ladder accidents
• Heavy equipment failures
• Excavator accident
• Accidents involving the collapse of scaffolding
• Electrical accidents, including those caused by exposed wires
• Crane mishaps
• Trenching accidents
• Defective PPE incidents
• Incidents involving complete structure failure and collapse
• Roofing accidents, including falls from great heights
• Crushing and ‘caught between’ accidents
• Explosions, fire, and smoke inhalation
• Toxic chemical exposure incidents
• Motor vehicle accidents, including those involving large construction vehicles
• Welding equipment accidents
• Power tool malfunctions
• And more

What Occupational Safety Protocols Are Frequently Violated at Construction Sites? 

Construction companies, their supervisors, and other employees must follow safety protocols to ensure the well-being of construction workers and anyone who comes into proximity to construction sites. Failure to maintain safe construction sites can dramatically increase the risk of incidents and, as a direct result, lead to significant injuries. When employers cut corners or third parties act recklessly, accidents occur.

Common safety regulation violations in construction sites include the following:

• Failure to correctly label hazardous materials or train construction workers on how to handle those toxic substances appropriately
• Inadequate or improper construction of scaffolding can lead to collapses and falls
• Construction companies and supervisors failing to provide adequate protection, such as safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, and necessary guardrails
• A lack of proper protection, such as guards on machinery that has large moving parts
• Not providing or enforcing the use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety helmets, and eye protection
• The failure to properly ground electrical equipment and safeguard construction workers from the potential of electrocution

Do You Need the Help of an Experienced Construction Injury Lawyer? 

While workers’ compensation insurance covers most construction site injuries, that does not necessarily mean that you should proceed without professional legal counsel. In construction accident cases, there is always the potential for employers or insurance companies to deny or delay workers’ compensation claims, which can exacerbate the situation for injured victims.

Among the many benefits of retaining the legal services of our experienced construction accident attorneys are the following:

• We will conduct thorough investigations and gather all relevant evidence related to the construction accident that directly caused your injuries. This may include seeking out testimonies from eyewitnesses, obtaining accident reports, reviewing past safety violations, and seeking video surveillance of the incident.
• By utilizing your past and present medical records, we can more accurately assess the severity of your injuries and the necessity for ongoing medical care. To assist in these matters, we may also employ the help of knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
• It’s not uncommon for workers’ compensation insurance companies to devalue settlements and offer victims less than they deserve. As your legal representatives, we will negotiate with insurance providers to obtain a fair settlement that adequately covers all your accident-related expenses and out-of-pocket costs.
• Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, we may explore the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit against liable parties.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Third-Party Construction Accident Claim? 

Who is responsible for construction accidents is essential to any personal injury lawsuit or workers’ compensation claim. Depending on the unique facts of your case, multiple parties may be held responsible and could be liable for damages.

Property owners must maintain construction sites in a reasonably safe and hazard-free condition. If a dangerous condition is known about and not addressed promptly, a property owner may be held responsible for any resulting accidents.

Equipment manufacturers could be held liable for damages if their equipment is poorly designed or made with defects. Our law firm will explore the possibilities of holding equipment manufacturers responsible for construction site accidents, regardless of whether the defective equipment was a large machine or a small power tool.

While contractors and subcontractors are essential for keeping construction sites running smoothly, they may be held liable for accidents caused by their negligence or recklessness. Additionally, if contractors hire unqualified employees or provide improper instructions, they may be held liable for serious injuries.

Are Texas Employers Required to Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance? 

Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers who elect not to carry workers’ compensation insurance are referred to as non-subscribers, and their workers are typically left with no-fault benefits under the Texas workers’ compensation system. If a worker is injured on the job working for a non-subscriber construction company, they may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employers to recover compensation.

To succeed in a non-subscriber case, injured workers must be able to prove that their employers’ negligence directly caused their severe injuries. For assistance in these legal issues, please get in touch with our law firm.

Contact Us to Schedule Your Free Consultation with Our Knowledgeable Texas Construction Accident Lawyers Today

In addition to assisting injured workers and filing workers’ compensation claims, we can also pursue the possibility of filing third-party lawsuits against negligent contractors, subcontractors, property owners, or the manufacturers of defective equipment. With a successful claim, you stand to recover compensation for past medical bills, future medical expenses, lost income, and other potential forms of financial recovery. If you lost a loved one in a fatal construction accident, we can also help you seek death benefits.

Our Texas law firm has extensive experience representing clients in these and other personal injury legal matters. We take pride in providing compassionate legal services to our clients who need our support.

To discuss your case in more detail, we encourage you to contact our law office to request a free case review with our experienced construction accident lawyers today. You can reach us at the following number: (956) 201-7787.