Construction sites fuel progress across Texas but remain one of the most dangerous workplaces. Serious injuries happen far too often, changing lives in an instant. If you suffered injuries at a work site, seek help from a Texas construction accident lawyer.
Contact DFW Injury Lawyers at (972) 440-2320 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Texas Construction Accident Claim
You need a legal advocate who understands the unique challenges of construction accident cases in Texas. DFW Injury Lawyers focuses on getting results for injured workers like you.
Dedicated Texas Firm
Our commitment extends across the entire state of Texas. DFW Injury Lawyers represents injured construction workers from Houston to El Paso, Austin to Amarillo, and San Antonio to Corpus Christi. We handle cases throughout Texas, providing dedicated support regardless of your location.
Our team knows the specific laws impacting Texas workers who were hurt on the job.
Focused Experience
Construction accident claims involve complex factors, including OSHA regulations, multiple on-site contractors, heavy machinery issues, and unique Texas laws regarding employer liability. Our attorneys have experience navigating these specific complexities.
We understand how falls, equipment malfunctions, trench collapses, and other common construction site incidents occur. This knowledge helps us investigate your accident effectively, and we work to identify all responsible parties for your construction injury.
We Handle the Hassle So You Can Heal
Recovering from a serious injury is your top priority. Dealing with insurance companies, complex paperwork, and legal procedures adds immense stress. Let our team manage these burdens for you.
We communicate with insurers and opposing counsel on your behalf. We gather evidence, file necessary documents, and meticulously build your claim.
Discuss your case with an experienced Texas construction accident lawyer who serves your area. Call DFW Injury Lawyers at (972) 440-2320 for a free consultation.
4 Steps To Take After a Texas Construction Accident
Once you've addressed your medical needs, take these actions to protect your rights:
- Report the Injury: Inform your supervisor or employer about the accident and your injury as soon as possible, adhering to your company’s specific reporting process.
- Identify Witnesses: Gather the names and contact information of anyone who observed the accident or the conditions leading up to it.
- Document the Scene: You should preserve any available evidence by taking photographs or videos of the accident site, the specific hazard (like faulty equipment or an unsafe area), and your injuries shortly after the incident.
- Keep Your Bills: Keep records of your medical bills and expenses related to your accident.
- Consult an Attorney: Contact a Texas construction accident attorney as soon as possible to review the details of your accident, learn about your legal options, and safeguard your claim.
Common Causes of Texas Construction Accidents
Construction sites present numerous hazards. Our team has experience representing Texas workers injured in various types of accidents, including:
- Falls: These include incidents involving scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or unfinished structures.
- Electrocutions: Contact with power lines, faulty wiring, or defective equipment often causes severe injury or death.
- Trench Collapses: Workers trapped in collapsing excavations face catastrophic injuries.
- Struck-by Object Incidents: Falling tools, materials, or swinging equipment loads pose significant risks.
- Caught-in/Between Accidents: Workers may get pinned between machinery, materials, or structures.
- Crane and Heavy Equipment Failures: Malfunctions or operator errors involving cranes, bulldozers, forklifts, and other machinery cause devastating accidents.
- Defective Tools or Machinery: Faulty power tools, safety gear, or other equipment contribute to injuries.
- Exposure to Toxic Substances: Chemical spills, asbestos exposure, or other hazardous materials lead to illness and injury.
See legal advice if your injury resulted from these or any other construction site hazards.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Construction Accident in Texas?
Determining responsibility after a construction accident involves identifying all negligent parties whose actions contributed to the incident.
Depending on the specifics of your case, several entities may be liable:
- General Contractor: The primary contractor overseeing the entire worksite may be liable for failing to maintain overall site safety or coordinating subcontractors properly.
- Subcontractors: Other companies working on the site might be responsible if their specific actions or negligence created the hazardous condition that caused your injury.
- Property Owner: The owner of the land or building where the construction is taking place might be liable if they knew about or should have known about a dangerous condition on their property and failed to address it.
- Employer: Your direct employer may be liable if they fail to provide a reasonably safe workplace. However, they may be ineligible if they offer workers’ compensation.
- Equipment Manufacturers/Suppliers: If defective machinery, tools, or safety equipment malfunctioned and caused the injury, the company that designed, manufactured, or supplied that equipment could be responsible.
- Architects and Engineers: In some cases, design flaws in the structure or project plans created by architects or engineers might contribute to an accident, leading to their potential liability.
Third-Party Claims in Texas Construction Accidents
Many construction sites involve multiple companies working together. While you generally cannot sue your direct employer if they have workers' compensation insurance, you might have a claim against another company whose negligence caused your injury. This is known as a third-party claim.
For example, if a different subcontractor created an unsafe condition that led to your fall, you might have a case against that subcontractor. If defective machinery caused your injury, the manufacturer might be liable.
Pursuing a third-party claim allows you to seek damages beyond workers' comp benefits, including pain and suffering.
A Texas construction accident lawyer evaluates all potential sources of liability. They determine if you have grounds for a third-party lawsuit in addition to any workers' compensation claim.
The Texas Non-Subscriber Factor in Construction Injuries
Texas is unique because it doesn’t require most private employers to carry workers' compensation insurance. Employers who opt out are called non-subscribers. Many construction companies in Texas operate as non-subscribers.
If your employer is a non-subscriber, the rules for injury claims change significantly. You typically cannot file a standard workers' compensation claim. However, you gain the right to sue your employer directly for negligence that caused your injury.
Proving employer negligence is necessary in non-subscriber cases. Unlike workers' comp, fault becomes a central issue.
A Texas construction accident attorney experienced with non-subscriber laws understands how to build a negligence case against your employer.
Compensation You Can Seek With A Texas Construction Accident Attorney
Following a serious construction site accident, injured workers face numerous losses. A successful injury claim aims to recover compensation for these damages.
While every case is unique, potential compensation secured by your construction injury attorney may cover:
- Medical Expenses: Your compensation may cover all past, current, and future medical costs related to the injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, prescriptions, physical therapy, and necessary medical devices.
- Lost Income: You may receive payment for the wages, salaries, or other income you missed because the injury prevented you from working during your recovery period.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If your construction injury permanently affects your ability to earn money at the same level as before, you might recover damages for this future loss of potential income.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation may be awarded for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress you've endured as a direct result of the construction injury and its effects on your life.
- Disfigurement: If the injury caused permanent scarring, amputation, or other significant changes to your physical appearance, you might receive compensation.
- Mental Anguish: You may recover damages for significant psychological impacts stemming from the accident, such as diagnosed anxiety, depression, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A skilled Texas construction accident attorney works diligently to document all your damages. They fight to obtain the maximum compensation possible under Texas law.
How a Texas Construction Accident Lawyer Helps Your Claim
Navigating the aftermath of a worksite injury feels overwhelming, but a construction injury attorney acts as your advocate, guiding you through the legal maze and fighting for your rights.
Investigating Your Accident
Understanding precisely how and why your accident happened is fundamental to building a strong claim. A Texas construction accident attorney conducts a thorough investigation beyond any initial employer or police reports.
Your attorney gathers crucial evidence, including witness statements, site inspection records, equipment maintenance logs, safety violation reports, and expert opinions.
Identifying all contributing factors and potentially liable parties is a key part of their work. This often includes subcontractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers, not just your direct employer.
Calculating Your Full Damages
A serious construction injury creates significant financial strain. Your lawyer works to identify and calculate the full extent of your current and future losses. This involves more than just adding up existing medical bills.
Your construction accident attorney assesses costs like ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, necessary home modifications, and lost wages.
They also consider future lost earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job and evaluate non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and mental anguish resulting from the injury.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters often contact injured workers shortly after an accident. Their goal is usually to minimize the payout for the insurance company. A construction injury attorney in Texas protects you from tactics designed to undervalue your claim.
Your lawyer handles all communications and negotiations with insurance companies. They understand how adjusters operate and counter lowball settlement offers.
Pursuing Your Claim Through Negotiation or Court
Most construction accident cases settle out of court through negotiation. Your attorney prepares a strong case based on evidence and damage calculations to negotiate effectively on your behalf. They aim to reach a fair settlement agreement that covers your losses.
However, if the opposing party or their insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, your Texas construction accident lawyer is prepared to take your case to court. They’ll file a lawsuit and represent your interests vigorously through litigation and trial if necessary.
FAQ for Texas Construction Accident Lawyer
How Long Do I Have To File a Construction Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Generally, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit for personal injury damages against a negligent party (like a non-subscriber employer or a third party). Missing this deadline (statute of limitations) means losing your right to sue for compensation.
There are some exceptions, so speak with a Texas construction injury attorney promptly to understand the specific deadline applying to your situation.
What if My Employer Says the Accident Was My Fault?
While employers or insurance companies might try to blame you for the accident to avoid paying, Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule, which means you might still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your percentage of fault is 50% or less.
Your percentage of fault reduces your potential compensation. Don’t accept blame without first speaking to a Texas construction accident lawyer.
Can I Still File a Claim if I Was an Independent Contractor?
Your employment classification matters. If you were an independent contractor, you likely don't qualify for workers' compensation benefits (if the company even has them). However, you retain the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against any party whose negligence caused your injuries.
This could be the general contractor, property owner, another subcontractor, or an equipment manufacturer. A construction injury attorney helps clarify your status and identify potential claims.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Construction Accident?
Multiple parties might share responsibility for a single construction accident, including your direct employer, the general contractor, various subcontractors, the property owner, architects or engineers, and manufacturers or suppliers of defective equipment or materials.
An experienced Texas construction accident attorney investigates all possibilities to hold every negligent party accountable.
Can My Employer Retaliate Against Me for Reporting My Injury or Hiring a Texas Construction Accident Lawyer?
Texas law protects workers from retaliation for reporting a workplace injury or filing a related claim in good faith. Retaliation might include wrongful termination, demotion, harassment, or significantly changing your job duties because you reported the incident.
Different laws offer varying protections depending on your situation, such as whether your employer has workers' compensation. Contact an attorney immediately if you believe your employer is mistreating you after reporting your construction accident.
Rebuilding Your Future After a Construction Injury
A construction accident abruptly changes the direction of your life, and it can be challenging to face recovery and financial uncertainty. Protecting your legal rights with the help of a trusted Texas personal injury lawyer is the first step toward rebuilding and securing your future stability.
Let DFW Injury Lawyers handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing. Get the help you need today.
Call us today at (972) 440-2320 for your free, no-obligation case evaluation.