Austin Worksite Injury and Accident Attorneys, Texas
Legal advocacy for workers injured on oilfield or construction sites in Texas
Texas is well-known for its robust oil, gas, and construction industries. These industries attract a wide variety of workers to the area, but also put these workers in serious danger. Employees and contract workers deal with heavy equipment, electrical tools, ladders and scaffolding, and hazardous chemicals – and even the smallest safety error can result in an industrial disaster with multiple injuries or fatalities.
Further, many Austin oil and construction workers are not eligible for workers’ compensation, which means they have no access to medical and pay benefits when they’re injured on the job. However, that does not mean that, as an injured worker, you have no recourse. At Slack Davis Sanger, our tenacious and experienced worksite injury attorneys can help you seek the financial compensation you need when injured in an accident at work. We also represent the families of workers killed in tragic worksite accidents.
“The whole staff at Slack Davis Sanger went above and beyond to make sure that we not only got the best settlement and verdict, but that we were aware, knowledgeable, and comfortable with all that went on before, during, and after the trial.” - Leon Hagerman, Client
What are the biggest industries in Austin?
Austin in particular is home to a variety of big industries, like automotive and aerospace manufacturing, wind turbine manufacturing, biofuels, and research facilities. Companies and manufacturers in the area include 3M, Samsung, EPIC Piping, SunPower Corp., Nest Labs, Tesla, and Firefly Aerospace.
What are the workers’ compensation laws in Texas?
Texas differs from other states when it comes to workers’ compensation benefits. Texas employers can choose to opt out of workers’ compensation insurance, unless they are public entities. The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation reports that about 28% of private employers do not offer workers’ comp, which affects about 18 percent of the state’s workforce.
When a worker is injured on the job and has no workers’ compensation to fall back on, they can turn to the injury attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger for guidance and help.
Why is oil field work so dangerous?
It only takes one mistake in oil field worksites or offshore oil drilling to cause a catastrophic accident. These incidents occur for a variety of reasons, mostly safety-related. These include:
Transportation accidents, including motor vehicle and aviation crashes. Workers must travel back and forth to oil rigs and fields. This requires trucks, boats, or even helicopters. Untrained pilots, bad weather, and defective parts can all contribute to these types of accidents.
Explosions and fires, which are tragically common in the oil and gas industries. Working with flammable liquids and gases requires the highest safety protocols in every area, and the smallest lapse in judgement can lead to severe or fatal burn injuries.
Heavy equipment accidents, which often lead to crushing and loss of limb injuries. Workers can also be struck by objects, suffering brain injuries, broken bones, or other physical trauma.
Limited access to first aid. When an injury occurs on an offshore oil rig, or out in the oil field, it may take hours for emergency personnel to reach them. In cases where a worker is suffering traumatic brain injury or internal hemorrhaging, this delay in treatment could cost them their life.
Why is construction work so dangerous?
Like oilfield workers, construction workers also deal with many dangers on the job. Heavy equipment and power tools along with a busy and fast-paced workplace often leads to negligent or reckless behavior. Common construction site accidents and dangers include:
Falls. Construction work typically calls for ladders, scaffolding, and climbing. Employers should provide workers with proper protection, like safety harnesses and lines, and ensure they are in good condition. Falls are one of the most common construction site accidents, and are often deadly.
Equipment malfunctions. When heavy machinery doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to, workers can suffer serious injuries. Defective equipment can cause amputation injuries, electrocution, or loss of vision or hearing.
Electric shock and electrocution. An electric shock can be caused by faulty wires or tools, overhead power lines, missing ground-fault protection, or even misuse of extension cords on a site. These shocks can cause burn injuries, cardiac arrest, and/or nerve or muscle damage. Electrocution – where a current passes through the body – is one of the top four causes of death on construction sites.
Burn injuries. Workers can easily suffer burns on construction sites. Electrical and arc/flash burns are common, but welding sparks are also a risk, as are chemical burns. If there is a fire or an explosion on the site, both workers and passersby are at risk.
Trench or excavation collapse. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as two tons; when a trench collapses, workers can be buried under that weight almost immediately. When the collapse was caused by negligence, an act of weather, or other reason, Slack Davis Sanger can help.
Overexertion injuries. Construction work is a physical job, requiring heavy lifting and repetitive movements. Workers may experience back injuries and other soft-tissue injuries that worsen over time. For some, these injuries develop into permanent and disabling conditions.
Toxic exposure. Many workers also experience exposure to dangerous substances during construction, whether through inhalation or skin contact. They can suffer chemical burns, respiratory problems, lung diseases, and other physical issues.
The Austin injury attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger will investigate exactly how your injury occurred, and who should be held accountable for the trauma you’ve experienced.
How do worksite accidents and injuries happen?
The majority of worksite accidents happen due to violations of safety procedures. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets safety standards in the workplace, and if your employer violates those standards, we will hold them responsible. For the year 2020, OSHA reported the following top 10 cited safety violations:
- Fall Protection
- Hazard Communication Standards
- Respiratory Protection
- Scaffolding
- Ladders
- Control of Hazardous Energy
- Powered Industrial Trucks
- Fall Protection – Training Requirements
- Eye and Face Protection
- Machinery and Machine Guarding
However, these aren’t the only reasons accidents occur in the workplace. Human error, or negligence, also leads to incidents causing injuries. When a worker fails to follow safety protocol, is untrained on how to use tools or machines, or does not know how to implement emergency procedures, a small mistake can turn into a large-scale tragedy.
If another person’s on-the-job negligence caused harm to you or a loved one, the attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger are ready to help.
How can an Austin worksite accident attorney help me?
When we take your case, the first thing we do is get to work determining the liable party or parties – the parties who caused your injuries. This could be another employee on the job site, and/or your employer. The owner of the property may also be liable for your injuries. In the event defective or malfunctioning equipment caused the accident, you may file a claim against the manufacturer of the tool or machine. Finally, you may also be eligible to take action against any third-party contractors. Our attorneys can guide you through this process.
We understand that workers’ compensation is not available to all Texas workers and contractors, and even with the medical and wage insurance that workers’ comp provides, sometimes this is simply not enough – especially when a third party has caused your injuries or your loved one’s wrongful death. With the attorneys from Slack Davis Sanger on your side, you can rest assured that we are working to recover all of the damages to which you are entitled, including pain and suffering.
Our legal team has both the resources and the know-how to advocate for you, whether your accident happened on a construction site, factory, oilfield, or on an offshore rig. Our knowledge of working across jurisdictions and experience with different laws and regulations makes us the right choice for your worksite accident case. We want to fight for you.
Dedicated Austin worksite injury lawyers
The attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger understand the dangers of construction and extraction work. When companies put profit ahead of the safety of their workers, lives are lost. If you or a loved one were injured on the job, we can help you hold these companies responsible and seek compensation for your losses. To schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in Austin, Dallas, or Fort Worth, please call 800-455-8686 or fill out our contact form.
Austin Office
6001 Bold Ruler Way
Suite 100
Austin, TX 78746
Main Austin Practice Areas