Construction is consistently at the top of the list of deadly jobs in the United States. This is due in part because of inherent industry dangers, such as working from heights and with heavy equipment. However, many serious and deadly construction site accidents are actually traced back to negligence.
Understanding what negligence is and what it looks like at a construction site can help keep you safe as someone in this industry. If you’ve already suffered a work-related injury in construction, understanding the cause of the accident can give you key information about your legal rights. You may be able to become whole again financially by filing a claim.
Construction Accident Facts and Statistics in Texas
In 2023, 128 workers died in construction and extraction occupations in Texas. According to a nationwide census of fatal occupational injuries from 2023 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction had the most deaths (1,075) among all industry sectors.
The leading causes of death in the construction industry according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are:
- Falls
- Caught-in/-between objects or equipment
- Struck-by objects
- Electrocutions
These have been referred to as construction’s “Fatal Four.” The leading causes of fatal injuries at construction sites can often be prevented with due care exercised by those in charge.
Employer Negligence and Construction Site Accidents
Employers in Texas have various legal responsibilities when it comes to ensuring the safety of their workers. This includes complying with state and federal employment laws and OSHA safety regulations, as well as ensuring a reasonably safe work environment. Unfortunately, not all construction companies and employers in this industry meet their duties of care.
Negligence is often behind construction site accidents that injure and kill workers. Negligence in a work injury context refers to someone failing to act within the required standards of care, resulting in harm to others. An employer in construction could be negligent in many different ways – all of which can lead to a lawsuit if it results in harm to a worker.
Lack of Worker Training
Navigating the aspects of construction that make it an inherently dangerous job requires education. If workers are informed about the potential injury risks involved in their positions, they will know how to avoid them. For this reason, OSHA has instruction and training requirements specifically for the construction industry.
If an employer skips over worker training programs to save time or rush a new hire into the workforce, this can increase the odds of a harmful accident. An improperly trained worker could make many preventable errors at a construction site that result in hazardous conditions for everyone.
According to OSHA, one of the most commonly violated safety standards in construction is a lack of fall protection training. Falls are a major injury risk in this industry. Employers are responsible for providing training programs for any employee who may be exposed to fall hazards.
Missing Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment or PPE is critical in the construction sector. Construction workers should be given various types of PPE by employers before engaging in their work. The required gear may include hard hats for head protection, hand and foot protection, safety goggles, face protection, and hearing protection. Special PPE is also required for any worker at risk of falling from heights.
Dangerous Work Environment
Employers and construction site managers have a duty to ensure reasonably safe work environments. Employers must inspect construction sites to make sure that everything is up to code and in proper working order. If anything is amiss or equipment needs to be repaired or replaced, a remedy should be arranged as soon as possible. In the meantime, warning signs should be posted in conspicuous locations to protect workers.
A dangerous work environment can describe one with broken or faulty equipment, slippery floor surfaces, cluttered walkways, poor maintenance, hazardous chemicals or materials, asbestos, electrical hazards, or falling objects. If another employer in the same position would have detected and remedied the environmental hazard sooner, this is evidence of employer negligence.
Violated OSHA Laws
It is against the law for an employer or contractor in construction to violate OSHA safety rules and regulations. There are hundreds of specific standards in place that must be met by an employer to keep construction workers safe at job sites. Intentionally or carelessly breaking any of these laws can create dangerous circumstances.
Construction Injuries Caused By Defective Products
Some construction site accidents happen not because of employer negligence but due to defective products being used in the workplace. Defective products and machinery in construction can have catastrophic consequences. Product defects can lead to crane collapses, faulty building materials, malfunctioning power tools, scaffold collapses and electrical hazards.
In these cases, the manufacturer or distributor of the defective item can be held responsible with a product liability claim. In most of these situations, a strict liability law applies. This means you won’t have to prove that the manufacturer was negligent to qualify for financial compensation.
Construction Sites and Vehicle Accidents
Construction jobs rely on many vehicles and heavy machinery to lift and transport materials. Operating these vehicles can come with a risk of serious transportation accidents. Accidents involving forklifts, work trucks, bulldozers, cranes, backhoes and motor vehicles driven by the public can result in catastrophic and deadly worker injuries.
Your Rights After a Construction Site Accident in Texas
If your construction site accident was caused by the negligence of an employer, coworker, product manufacturer or anyone else, you may be able to use an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit to become whole again. Holding someone accountable can bring you justice and lead to safety improvements in your industry. It could also result in financial compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and more.
How a Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help
A job in construction should not needlessly endanger your life. If you were hurt or someone you loved died because of negligence at a construction site, get answers by discussing your case with a construction accident attorney in Austin. At FVF Law Firm, we can provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your future.
As your Austin personal injury lawyers, we will work closely with you to identify your goals and advise you regarding the potential next steps in your case. We are known for our compassion, honesty and integrity, and have over 100 years of combined experience. Contact us to get guidance on your construction accident case during a no-cost, no-pressure initial consultation. Call (512) 640-2146 today.
