Houston Construction Accident Lawyer

As the economy continues to rebuild, construction is once again on the rise. As one of the more dangerous jobs in the country, construction workers work under higher threat of accident and injury than most other occupations.

Construction accidents injure or kill thousands of workers every year, causing life-changing injuries to those affected. Working with heavy-duty machinery, with hazardous materials, and high above the ground can result in serious injury or death when a mishap occurs.

Although federal and state laws monitor the safety of construction sites, construction accidents are still far too commonplace. A Houston construction accident lawyer from Denena Points, PC can help you if you were injured on a worksite.

Construction Accident Safety Concerns

As the growth of the construction industry continues, the need for more skilled laborers is rising. Employers should provide a safe work environment and diligent safety measures; however, with companies placing more emphasis on profits, safety is often not their number one priority.

The US Department of Labor points out an incident in 2017 when a company, Southern Pan, thought cutting corners on safety would save time and money. Because eliminating their safety protocols was more important to them than their obligation to keep their workers safe, a parking garage collapsed, killing one worker and injuring twenty others. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Southern Pan with penalties and two violations.

OSHA is a federal regulatory organization that sets and enforces construction safety and health standards designed to keep workers safe. OSHA investigates every workplace accident in the country, protecting every construction worker on every construction site. The OSHA construction standards most frequently violated in 2015 were failed safety protections, ladders, and electrical issues.

In 2014, out of 4,386 worker fatalities in the private sector, 20.5 percent were in construction. In the construction industry, the four leading causes of private sector worker deaths were falls, followed by electrocutions, being struck by an object, and being caught in between objects. Known as the “Fatal Four,” these were responsible for more than 60.6 percent of construction worker deaths.

Types of Houston Construction Accidents

It is the responsibility of construction companies to provide safety protocols for employees and to carefully inspect each site for safety concerns. When these measures are either not executed or fail to protect construction workers, multiple parties can be legally responsible.

This means that the owners, architects, general contractors, and equipment manufacturers have a legal duty to provide employees with a safe construction site, informing them of any risks and hazards on the job site or regarding the task being performed.

Many construction accident fatalities are due to an employer’s careless violation and disregard for safety codes and regulations. Construction site accidents can happen in a multitude of ways:

• Scaffolding accidents
• Falls from high areas
• Crane and forklift accidents
• Collapsed structures
• Defective machinery
• Explosions and fires
• Inadequately trained and inexperienced workers
• Lack of safety protocols
• Electrocution
• Motor vehicle accident

Whatever caused your workplace accident, a Houston construction accident lawyer from our firm can help you seek the compensation you are due. Whether it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit, we can advise you of your options and guide you throughout the process.

Construction Accident Liability and Compensation

Construction workers may qualify for workers compensation benefits if they are injured on the job. As long as the employer carries workers compensation insurance and does not fight your claim, this can help you pay for medical expenses and wages lost through disability.

For an injury that causes loss of work for a long period of time or indefinitely, workers compensation benefits may be insufficient to support your family and pay accident-related damages. Your Houston construction accident lawyer can fight for just compensation and ensure that all of your accident-related needs and expenses are covered.

Unlike workers compensation benefits, a personal injury lawsuit can include punitive damages and compensation for pain and suffering, wrongful death, and other long-term losses such as lost wages. If your injuries are severe enough, you may need to seek training for a new profession. Catastrophic injuries may require continuing therapy, home modifications, and other life alterations that are expensive and difficult to adjust to.

Many construction accidents will fall under workers compensation rather than personal injury, however, so be certain to discuss all the details of your case with your Houston construction accident lawyer when you visit our office for a free case evaluation.

A Houston Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help

Severe injury, disability, and loss of life are realities in the construction industry, leaving workers and their families with devastating consequences when things go wrong. If negligence or careless disregard for safety caused your injury, a Houston construction accident lawyer at Denena Points, PC can help. We are committed to protecting your rights and recovering just compensation for your injuries.

Our attorneys have been fighting for the rights of accident victims for years. Trustworthy and dedicated, we have successfully litigated settlements or verdicts for our clients time and time again. Contact our office today at 713-807-9500 or complete the form below to schedule a free consultation and and speak with a lawyer about your case.