Working on a construction site is one of the most high-risk jobs in Texas. There seems no limit to the number of ways that construction workers can be injured while going about their daily duties.
As such, a lawsuit from a victim who has suffered a construction site injury is a common occurrence in Texas courts.
However, many construction workers do not fully understand their rights under Texas law. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation regarding the type of construction site injuries that can result in a lawsuit.
This is why many injured construction workers choose to forgo their workers' compensation benefits and continue working even after being injured.
Such situations are not right under Texas construction site accident laws. An injured worker has the right to sue the responsible party for damages caused by the accident.
In Texas, workers can take the negligent parties to court to seek fair compensation for their medical treatment and lost wages.
Filing a workers' compensation claim or taking an employer to court is not always the easiest thing to do.
This is why Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is here to help. Injured workers can call +1 713-999-4150 and schedule a free consultation.
Common Construction Site Hazards
Despite the many activities that happen on a construction site, most accidents seem to occur because of a handful of reasons that workers and employers keep on repeating.
As such, construction accident lawyers have realized the following are the most common causes of hazards on construction sites:
Driver negligence
Poor training of workers
Negligence of construction companies
Defective equipment
Negligence by the construction site accident victims
Mistakes by third parties, such as contractors
How a Construction Worker Can Get Injured on the Job Site
With so many hazards in a single construction zone, it is no wonder that serious injury from different types of construction accidents in Texas are very common.
The following are a few examples of how a construction worker can get injured while on the job site:
Falling From Heights
Depending on how high the workers were, falling from heights can be fatal. In many cases, damaged harnesses or collapsed scaffolding are the causes of workers falling and injuring themselves.
Falling Objects
Many construction zones require workers to work on various levels above each other. If someone drops a tool or piece of equipment, these falling objects can severely injure the workers who are working below.
Trench Collapse
With construction jobs that require tunneling or digging of trenches, proper structural support is required to prevent the trenches from collapsing.
However, this is not always the case, and collapsing trenches can result in workers being buried under tons of dirt and debris.
Exposure to Hazardous Substances
Some construction site injuries are caused by employees being exposed to hazardous material, such as acid or other toxic chemicals. In such cases, severe burns or poisoning can occur, which can be fatal in extreme situations.
Fires and Explosions
Fires and explosions are also very common on construction sites, with many workers filing lawsuits against their workers' compensation insurance company after suffering third-degree burns while on the job.
Electrocution
Poor housekeeping can lead to live electric cables being left running across the floors. If there is a spillage nearby, or a worker trips and pulls one of these cables, it can result in an electrocution.
Car Accident Injuries
The high number of vehicles that are always moving around on construction sites can easily cause a serious accident if the driver or pedestrians are not careful. Due to the large size of these vehicles, such accidents can be devastating.
Lifting Injuries
Although not as serious as other injuries listed here, back sprains and strains are quite common among construction site workers who regularly have to lift heavy machinery or other objects.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
When construction site workers are forced to do the same activity over and over again, repetitive motion injuries can occur.
These can sometimes be serious enough to prevent the worker from doing their duties due to the extreme pain.
Options for Workers Involved in Construction Accidents
What is the way forward for workers after being involved in construction site accidents? Well, it all depends on the exact circumstances of the accident, the extent of the injuries, and the company policy.
However, most workers in the construction industry can choose any of the following options:
Workers' Compensation Claim
Texas construction accident law allows injured workers to file a workers' compensation insurance claim so that they can access the benefits they need to cover their medical treatment and lost wages while recovering.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
If the negligent party is a fellow employee rather than the employer, workers' compensation insurance may not cover the injuries caused by a Texas construction site accident.
In such cases, the injured worker can file a personal injury lawsuit against the individuals who caused their injuries. They can advise on the statute of limitations for Texas construction accident.
Third-Party Lawsuit
With so many contractors working on site, and many kinds of equipment supplied by third parties, a construction accident can be caused by someone else entirely.
When the employer and the victim's fellow employees are not to blame, the injured worker can file a third-party lawsuit and seek financial compensation from the contractors or equipment manufacturers responsible for the construction accident.
Which Injuries Can Be Covered by a Personal Injury Claim?
In Texas, any construction accident injury that requires the worker to seek medical treatment or take some time off work can be covered by a personal injury claim or workers' compensation benefits.
This is why workers need to talk to a lawyer before deciding that their injuries do not warrant compensation.
What to Do After a Construction Accident
After a construction accident in Texas, victims must take the following steps to give them the best chance of receiving fair compensation:
Report the incident to the employers
Seek medical treatment
Gather evidence
Talk to potential witnesses
Take pictures of the site of the incident
Approach an experienced construction accident lawyer.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Can Fight for Injured Construction Workers
With Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys trial attorneys on their side, injured employees working on a Texas construction site can seek compensation from the responsible party.
Personal injury claims for injuries caused by a construction site accident can be complicated, but an experienced attorney will go to war for maximum compensation.