Dedicated Texas Construction Site Accident Attorneys
Advocates for victims of construction site injuries in Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth
Crew foremen, general contractors, and property owners are responsible for protecting the safety of construction workers. In a drive for profit, the work environment at a construction site may be so fast-paced that workers are at risk of injury or even death as a result of an error in judgment. Workers or bystanders involved in construction site accidents are often not sure who is liable for their injuries or how to recover damages.
When working with heavy equipment, power tools, scaffolding, ladders, electricity, and high-pressure or toxic materials, even small mistakes can quickly turn into grave emergencies. For accident victims and their families, these incidents are truly life-changing. Experienced workplace injury attorneys, such as the lawyers at Slack Davis Sanger, can represent you to secure the most optimal financial recovery.
“I worked with Mike Davis on a case in which our respective firms represented different plaintiffs against the same defendant in a complicated construction accident. I was impressed with Mike’s big-picture insight to problem solving as well as his professionalism and integrity.” – Mark La Spina, The La Spina Law Firm, PC
What are common construction site accidents?
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which oversees the safety of workers in the United States, reports the top four causes of construction fatalities are Falls, Struck-By, Caught In/Between, and Electrocution. These are often referred to as the “Fatal Four.”
Falls: The leading cause of death in construction site injuries is falls. In 2018, 320 construction workers lost their lives to falls from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs. Any worker six feet or more above the ground is at risk for serious injury and should have the proper safety equipment for the job, like personal fall arrest systems and harnesses. Workers and supervisors should be trained on proper use and maintenance of this safety equipment.
Being Struck by an Object: Construction sites are in a state of constant motion. Workers rely on powerful tools and equipment to do their jobs. This line of work involves objects that may be flying, falling, rolling, or swinging through the air, sometimes at high speeds. The impact of an object at the job site coming into contact with a construction worker’s body can result in catastrophic injuries. Struck-by injuries are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries among construction workers.
Electrocution: Construction projects often involve working with or near electrical power circuits. Electrical injuries can result in burns, internal damage, and injuries related to involuntary muscle contraction. All of these, in turn, can lead to serious consequences and even, in some cases, death. In 2015, 61 percent of all U.S. workplace electrocution accidents occurred in construction. OSHA regulations govern workplace safety along with the lockout and tagging of electrical circuits in the construction industry, as well as the type of equipment and tools that can be used at a construction site.
Being Caught Between Objects: Construction workers can also experience life-threatening injuries or even death as a result of being squeezed, crushed, or caught in or between two moving objects while on the job. Trenching and excavation work in particular put construction workers at risk. When compared to general construction, excavation work has a 112% higher fatality rate. These accidents can happen when machinery has moving parts that are not properly locked down during maintenance, when workers get trapped in trenches, when walls collapse while demolition is occurring, or when workers get pinned by or between vehicles, equipment, or structures.
Employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment for construction workers, outfitting employees with protective gear and equipment, and performing safety checks to guard against injuries. The experienced lawyers at Slack Davis Sanger have a comprehensive understanding of workplace safety regulations, which enables them to handle these types of cases.
How often do construction site accidents happen?
According to OSHA, 5,333 workers died on the job in 2019. On average, that means 100 worker fatalities a week, or 15 deaths per day. About 20 percent of those workers were in the construction industry. Further, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, in the same year, construction industry workers suffered over 200,000 non-fatal injuries, an increase from 199,000 in 2018.
The top dangerous jobs in the construction industry include construction laborers, supervisors and extraction workers, roofers, carpenters, electricians, equipment operators, painters, pipelayers and pipefitters, highway workers, and iron and steel workers.
At Slack Davis Sanger, we determine not only how your accident occurred, but also the extent of your injuries to ensure we secure the proper financial compensation for your losses.
What are common injuries from construction site accidents?
In addition to the Fatal Four, construction workers – and anyone in the vicinity of a construction site – can experience a number of serious injuries if involved in an accident. Whether it’s a slip and fall, an explosion, a car crash on the way to the site, a trench collapse, or the failure to use proper protective gear, any of these accidents can result in serious and life-changing injuries:
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The injury attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger investigate the cause of your injuries and hold the responsible party or parties liable, fighting for the compensation to which you’re entitled.
Who is liable for my Texas construction site accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the incident, you may be eligible to claim workers’ compensation. This minimal safeguard may entitle you to medical care along with limited temporary disability, permanent disability, or vocational rehabilitation in the event of a workplace-related injury. However, many construction workers in Texas perform their jobs as contractors or third-party workers and will not be covered under traditional workers’ compensation insurance. Additionally, workers’ comp does not compensate you for things like pain and suffering or mental anguish.
In some cases, other parties may be liable for your damages, including the construction company, property owners, or equipment manufacturers. In these cases, having the representation of a legal team experienced in worker and equipment safety like Slack Davis Sanger can be crucial to evaluate your case and advise you on pursuing a successful claim.
What should I do after a construction site accident?
If you or a loved one are seriously injured after a construction accident, you can take a few steps to protect both your physical health and any potential legal claim. Always seek medical attention after an accident with injuries. Some serious injuries may not symptomize until hours or even days after the initial injury, and prompt medical care can help ensure your injuries will not become worse.
Your medical records will also become valuable evidence for your legal claim. You should also take photos of your injury, as well as the scene of where the accident occurred. Ensure you document the site information – address, name of construction company, name of the supervisor on shift, and any witnesses to the incident. Were there any workers on site when your accident occurred? Was there any signage or warning present?
Then, contact an experienced construction site accident attorney at Slack Davis Sanger for guidance on your next steps. When you or a loved one suffer injury due to another’s negligence, we will fight for compensation on your behalf. You may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, lost income, lost earning capacity, physical therapy, vocational training, and pain and suffering.
Texas construction site injury lawyers defending your rights
The caring and experienced construction accident attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger have spent the past quarter-century tirelessly pursuing claims on behalf of workers and their families whose lives have been changed forever as a result of a construction site accident or injury. We can help you, too. 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.