Construction is one of the largest industries in Texas, employing tens of thousands of workers. Unfortunately, it is also the most dangerous occupation in Texas – leaving many families shattered each year due to fatal construction accidents. If you lose a loved one in a deadly construction site accident in Texas, discuss your legal options with an experienced personal injury attorney in San Antonio.
Top Causes of Fatal Construction Site Accidents in Texas
Texas leads the nation in construction accident deaths. According to the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation, the construction industry had 141 fatalities in 2022, representing almost one-fourth (24 percent) of all deaths in Texas.
Many different types of accidents can injure and kill Texan construction workers, such as:
- Falls from heights
- Catastrophic slip or trip and fall accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Crane collapses
- Forklift or work vehicle accidents
- Foundational problems and structural collapses
- Contact with moving equipment or machinery
- Struck by falling or flying objects
- Trench collapses
- Exposure to toxic or hazardous substances
- Electrocutions
- Fires or explosions
- Acts of violence by people or animals
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies the top four causes of fatal construction accidents as falls, struck-by objects, electrocution, and caught-in/between objects or equipment. These are referred to as the “Fatal Four.”
Your Family’s Legal Rights After a Construction Accident in Texas Causes a Loved One’s Death
In Texas, there are laws in place to protect the families of workers who die on the job, both in construction and other industries. While nothing can ever make up for the death of a construction worker, seeking financial compensation through one or more types of claims can make it easier to plan for the future after the loss of a breadwinner.
Multiple recovery options may be available to your family after a fatal construction accident, including:
- Workers’ compensation: while employers are not required to offer workers’ compensation insurance, many do to protect themselves from liability for worker injuries and deaths. This type of insurance claim could result in death benefits after a fatal construction accident without the family having to prove fault.
- Wrongful death lawsuit: if someone was negligent or failed to act with proper care and this resulted in a fatal accident, surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. This may include an employer, construction company, product or equipment manufacturer, contractor, or property owner.
- Survival action: a preventable fatal accident in construction could also give rise to a survival action, which is filed by the deceased person’s estate. This type of case seeks financial compensation for losses suffered by the victim, such as medical costs leading up to the death and pain and suffering.
Negligence is behind many fatal construction site accidents in Texas. A construction company may be guilty of various OSHA violations, for example, in an attempt to cut corners to save time or money. Careless and wrongful acts that have deadly consequences can give surviving loved ones the right to seek justice.
How an Attorney Can Help After a Fatal Construction Accident in Texas
Even when a construction accident takes a worker’s life, insurance companies put their own best interests first. It can be difficult for you and your family to recover the compensation that you deserve after a fatal workplace disaster without assistance from a personal injury lawyer.
An attorney who specializes in fatal construction site accidents can give you the representation and resources you need to secure fair compensation for this tragedy. Your lawyer can review your case, investigate the fatal construction accident, determine fault, collect evidence, and fight for maximum compensation for your past and future losses.
If you wish to discuss a specific fatal construction accident with an attorney in San Antonio, contact Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.