Falling Objects on Construction Sites Lawyer in Houston, TX

Construction Site view with workers hanging around

If you were hit and injured by a falling object at a Houston construction site, your employer or another party responsible for the accident could owe you money for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. The Callahan Law Firm is ready to help you fight for maximum compensation at no upfront cost.

For over 25 years, our attorneys have advocated for the rights and interests of accident victims throughout the Houston area. We take on big companies to demand financial compensation for our clients, starting at the negotiating table and going to court when that is the best avenue for maximizing compensation for our clients. Because we only collect a fee when a financial recovery is made, you can afford to get the legal representation you deserve when you need it most.

Reach out to The Callahan Law Firm now for a free initial case evaluation with a construction site accident lawyer in Houston. We are ready to review your case, determine your options for compensation, and aggressively pursue your best interests.

How Dangerous Are Falling Objects on Houston Construction Sites?

According to the National Safety Council, about 700 workers die annually from falling objects. About 75 percent of fatal struck-by-object accidents involve heavy equipment such as cranes. As a result, the construction industry presents some of the highest risks of falling-object accidents.

Falling object accidents often happen due to:

  • Failure to secure tools and equipment placed at elevation
  • Improper storage of building materials at elevation
  • Negligent workmanship
  • Negligent assembly of scaffolding or improper scaffolding maintenance
  • Failure to maintain tools and equipment
  • Defective tools or equipment
  • Negligent crane operation
  • Failure to stabilize and secure heavy equipment
  • Adverse weather conditions, especially high winds
  • Lack of fall protection equipment

Falling objects pose a hazard to both construction workers and passers-by, especially when they’re heavy or fall from a great height. Even small, sharp falling objects can cause catastrophic or life-threatening injuries.

What Types of Objects Commonly Fall at Construction Sites?

A few examples of objects that can fall and cause injuries at construction sites include:

  • Tools
  • Construction Equipment
  • Building materials, including lumber, drywall, I-beams, and masonry
  • Cranes and materials hoisted by cranes
  • Scaffolding materials
  • Ladders
  • Broken pieces of tools and equipment or buildings

Examples of Injuries from Fallen Objects

Falling objects often lead to severe injuries, such as:

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Injuries?

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you could hold one or more of these parties legally responsible for your injuries:

  • Your employer– You have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer if it was negligent and does not participate in the workers’ compensation system.  In addition, the employer can be sued for gross negligence when a worker suffers a fatal injury.
  • The general contractor or other subcontractors on site– Contractors may be liable for a falling object accident caused by poor workmanship or a failure to adhere to safety practices, supply safety equipment, or use barricades to keep people out of hazardous areas.
  • The property or building owner– A job site owner might be liable if an unreasonably dangerous condition on the property led to the falling object accident.
  • Tool or equipment manufacturers– Manufacturers may have liability for falling object accidents caused by defective tools or equipment.

Houston Statute of Limitations to File a Construction Accident Claim

Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code imposes a two-year statute of limitations on filing an injury lawsuit. That means you must file your lawsuit within two years of being hurt by a falling object at a construction site. If you file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations on your injury claim expires, the at-fault company will file a motion to dismiss the case, costing you your opportunity to pursue compensation.

How to Prevent Falling Objects on Job Sites

Employers, site managers, and contractors can prevent fallen objects from causing injuries by:

  • Keeping workers and bystanders away from heavy equipment when in operation, including cranes, backhoes, forklifts, and other lifting equipment
  • Barricading operating areas to keep people from walking underneath crane and backhoe buckets
  • Securing and balancing loads before lifting them with cranes or other equipment
  • Never exceeding the lifting capacity of heavy equipment
  • Refraining from using tools or equipment that appear damaged or worn
  • Ensuring the use of appropriate guards and other safety equipment on tools
  • Restricting construction workers from operating equipment or machinery unless trained and certified to do so
  • Requiring workers to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats and safety goggles
  • Providing workers with tool belts and other equipment that allows them to secure tools to their person while working at elevation
  • Inspecting PPE for signs of damage and replacing equipment after a falling object accident
  • Securing any tools, equipment, or materials stored at height
  • Using guardrails, safety nets, travel restraint systems, or fall arrest systems at any unprotected side or edge with a drop of more than a few feet
  • Developing and following a fall protection plan
  • Restricting access to areas of the construction site to authorized workers
  • Covering any holes or floor openings when not in use
  • Using fixed ladder systems
  • Training workers on appropriate safety practices, such as protocols for carrying objects while climbing ladders

Contact Our Experienced Work Injury Attorneys in Houston Today

Were you injured when an object fell on you at a Houston construction site? If so, you could be owed money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. At The Callahan Law Firm, we are ready to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit outside the workers’ compensation system to help you secure maximum compensation.

Contact us today to learn more about your legal right to pursue financial recovery for a falling object injury. We can review your case, determine your options for compensation, and pursue them for your benefit. Because we offer free consultations and only charge a fee when we win, there are no upfront costs to working with our Houston work injury attorneys.