Pasadena Construction Accident Lawyer

Common construction injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, burns, lacerations, amputations, and crush injuries.

Common construction injuries in Texas include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, burns, lacerations, amputations, and crush injuries. Working in the construction industry is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, with workers injured or killed in construction accidents each year across the United States.

Fatal and Catastrophic Injuries:

Electrocution: Approximately 40% of all construction site fatalities involve electrocution, making electrical hazards the leading cause of death on construction sites. Workers may come into contact with live wires, improperly grounded equipment, overhead power lines, or faulty electrical systems that haven’t been properly maintained.

Fall-Related Injuries: Falls are especially harmful and often result in serious personal injuries. Workers can fall from heights such as roofs, scaffolding, ladders, or exposed edges when proper safety precautions aren’t in place. Falling from a height onto debris or sharp objects can cause catastrophic injuries including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, and internal organ damage. Regulations are supposed to make sure that railings protect workers from going off an exposed edge, but when these safety measures fail, the consequences can be devastating.

Common Accident Types on Construction Sites:

Crane Accidents: Faulty cranes can drop heavy loads unexpectedly, landing on anyone in the area. A worksite that does not make sure equipment is serviced regularly is one that is managed negligently. When crane operators lack proper training or equipment isn’t properly maintained, catastrophic crush injuries and fatalities can occur.

Scaffolding Accidents: If scaffolding is not properly shored and supported, it can give way and anyone standing on it can easily fall. Scaffolding collapses can result in multiple workers falling simultaneously, leading to severe injuries or death.

Mechanical Hazards: Hazardous areas are supposed to have clear markings that keep workers from going into them. If you unknowingly enter a dangerous area that is left unmarked, you can fall, trip, or walk into fans, belts, or saws. These mechanical hazards can cause severe lacerations, amputations, and crush injuries.

Other Serious Hazards:

• Oil Field Drilling Accidents: Particularly common in Texas, these involve high-pressure equipment, flammable materials, and heavy machinery
• Compressed Gas Hazards: Explosions or oxygen deprivation from improperly stored or handled compressed gases
• Dangerous/Defective Tools and Machines: Malfunctioning equipment or tools without proper safety guards can cause severe injuries
• Welding, Cutting and Brazing Accidents: Burns, eye injuries, fires, and respiratory injuries from welding operations

The Impact of Negligent Management:

Your construction worksite can easily turn into a dangerous place when proper precautions are not taken. Making sure that a construction worksite is safe requires constant maintenance by the managers and owners who are responsible for it. As a worker just trying to do a good job, you expect management to provide precautions that protect you from injury. When management fails to keep a site safe and you get hurt, the negligent care of equipment or safety measures that are ignored often means serious, life-altering injuries.

Frequency and Severity:

It happens to about one in every ten construction workers every year—a staggering statistic that underscores the dangerous nature of construction work. These injuries don’t just cause immediate physical harm; they often result in long-term disability, chronic pain, inability to return to work, and significant financial hardship for workers and their families. Understanding the types of injuries common on construction sites is the first step in recognizing when negligence has occurred and seeking appropriate compensation for your losses.

Preserve evidence with photographs, keep detailed medical records and expense documentation, and avoid giving statements or signing documents without consulting an attorney first.

After a construction site injury, taking immediate action can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation and protect your legal rights. Following the proper steps ensures that evidence is preserved, your injuries are properly documented, and you don’t inadvertently harm your claim.

Immediate Actions at the Scene:

Seek Medical Attention: First and foremost, seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions like internal injuries, concussions, or spinal damage may not be immediately apparent but can become life-threatening if left untreated. Prompt medical care also creates an official record of your injuries and establishes a direct link between the accident and your medical condition.

Report the Accident: Report the accident to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible to create an official record. Under Texas workers’ compensation law, you must notify your employer of your injury within 30 days to preserve your right to benefits. Failing to report promptly can give insurance companies grounds to deny your claim.

Document the Scene: Preserve any evidence related to the accident, such as photographs of the scene, equipment involved, and your injuries. Document the conditions that led to your accident, including any safety violations, unmarked hazardous areas, faulty equipment, lack of proper railings or protective measures, missing safety guards on machinery, or inadequate warning signs. Take photos from multiple angles and capture any hazardous conditions before they’re corrected or the scene changes.

Gather Witness Information: Obtain contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident occur. Co-workers, supervisors, or others present at the scene can provide crucial testimony about what happened and the unsafe conditions that contributed to your injury.

Critical Documentation:

Keep Detailed Medical Records: Keep detailed records of all medical treatment received and expenses incurred as a result of the injury, including hospital visits, emergency room care, surgeries, medications, physical therapy sessions, diagnostic tests, medical equipment, and any ongoing care needs. Save all bills, receipts, and medical reports, as these documents establish the extent of your injuries and the cost of your treatment.

Document Lost Wages: Keep records of time missed from work, pay stubs showing your regular earnings, and any documentation from your employer regarding your inability to return to work. This information is essential for recovering lost wages and demonstrating your loss of earning capacity.

Track All Expenses: Document any out-of-pocket costs related to your injury, including transportation to medical appointments, prescription costs, medical equipment purchases, home modifications if you’ve become disabled, and any other injury-related expenses.

Yes, if a third party, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or another contractor, contributed to your injury through negligence or misconduct, you may have grounds for a third-party liability claim.

In most cases, employees injured on the job in Texas cannot sue their employers directly due to workers’ compensation laws. However, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Yes, there is a statute of limitations for filing a construction injury lawsuit in Texas, which is generally two years from the date of the accident.