According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Texas workers killed on the job rose more than 20% in 2012 over the previous year. Tragically, 2013 has also seen a large number of deadly work accidents, including Sunday’s storage tank collapse near Corpus Christi.
In Texas, the most dangerous occupation is driving an 18-wheeler or other heavy truck. 2012 deaths in Texas in that occupation were up 57% from the prior year for a total of 121. Our Texas work accident injury attorneys note that the construction trade occupations followed closely behind in fatality numbers, with 82, but actually experienced a higher rate of increase, at almost 70%.
Part of the reason for these increases is the inherent danger of the occupations. In Sunday afternoon’s tragedy near Corpus Christi, the roof of an industrial storage tank collapsed beneath two workers welding on a metal lid. The men fell about 60 feet in the collapse. The accident happened at a Trafigura oil plant. Trafigura’s subcontractor, Tarsco, Inc, employed the two men.
Emergency crews needed a crane to secure the collapsed tank before they could reach the men. The two workers died at the scene of the tragic tank collapse, which authorities are currently investigating. U.S. OSHA was called regarding the accident. (KTRK abc13.com, 12/16/13) The Texas work accident injury attorneys at Denena Points, PC convey our sincere condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the two lost workers.
Structures can collapse for many reasons: decayed supports or corroded connections to support members, poor maintenance, or inadequate supports and bracing, for example. A thorough investigation is necessary to determine the cause of a sudden collapse and the tragic fatalities that result.
An OSHA investigation, however, will only be looking for employer safety violations and the possible presence of new, unanticipated workplace hazards for which additional safety rules need to be issued.
Workers and their families need their own experienced Texas work accident injury attorneys to conduct in-depth investigations of their accidents in order to protect their rights. Workers and their families need to know everything they can learn about the causes of an accident to be able to show who’s at fault and to obtain the compensation they deserve. Don’t let insurers tell you the accident was the worker’s fault. Don’t let them minimize or deny your valid claim.
The need for a dedicated Texas work accident injury attorney is especially strong for those workers who are not covered by Texas workers’ compensation insurance. Contact the law firm of Denena Points, PC at 713-807-9500 or reach us through our online contact form for a completely free and confidential initial legal consultation. The consultation is without obligation, and our more than 12 years of experience with complex personal injury and wrongful death cases could help you understand your legal options and your potential eligibility for a full financial recovery for the needless loss and injury suffered by you and your family.