Hardworking Texans suffer serious and catastrophic injuries on construction sites every year. Construction is a risky occupation and every worker should be able to rely on their employers and other contractors on the work site to take every reasonable measure to keep them safe. Because a momentary act of carelessness can have life-altering consequences for construction workers and their families. Though construction workers are the most frequent victims of construction site accidents, no one is entirely safe near a worksite. Bystanders and passing motorists also fall victim to construction zone accidents, and the financial and personal costs can be devastating. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a construction accident in Houston or elsewhere in the state of Texas, you could be entitled to compensation. And The Callahan Law Firm can help you get it. Talk to an experienced construction injury lawyer at our firm today. We’ll review your case and discuss your legal options in a free consultation. Call or contact us now to get started.
Why You Need Our Houston Construction Accident Lawyers
If you sustained an injury in a Houston construction accident, you’re probably facing a mountain of medical bills and missing out on the wages you need to support yourself and your family. You may also be struggling with immense physical pain and emotional distress. But you’re not out of luck. You may be able to pursue a third-party personal injury claim in addition to making a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Our construction accident attorneys work to identify potential avenues of compensation for you. Some injured workers must rely exclusively on their workers’ comp benefits. But many injured workers may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a responsible third-party for negligence or because of a product defect. Getting justice and the compensation you deserve under the law can be impossible to do alone, especially while trying to rebuild your life. A construction accident attorney from The Callahan Law Firm can help you pursue maximum compensation while giving you the time and space you need to heal. We’ll investigate the accident, determine your potential sources of compensation, and work to pursue your claim against the responsible parties. Although most cases that are properly handled eventually settle, the question is for how much and is the settlement fair. Our experienced legal team works to prepare every case as if it is going to trial. This sends a message to the responsible parties and their insurance companies that any settlement for our clients will be maximized. At The Callahan Law Firm, our skilled trial lawyers have more than a quarter-century of experience obtaining justice for Texas accident victims. And because we work on a contingency fee basis, we do this at no upfront cost to you. You pay legal expenses and case costs only if a recovery is made on your case.
Types of Job Site Accident Cases We Commonly Handle
At The Callahan Law Firm, we’re prepared to handle construction accident cases that involve:
- Construction vehicle accidents – Work trucks, forklifts, cranes, backhoes, and other construction vehicles are dangerous when not operated safely or when basic safety rules are not followed. And the result can be serious injuries or worse, especially if someone is struck or pinned by the vehicle.
- Machinery accidents – Proper maintenance is essential for construction equipment and machinery. When construction workers are required to use equipment that is not properly maintained or otherwise unsafe, the operators and anyone in the vicinity of the ongoing work is at risk.
- Falls – Whether from ladders, scaffolding or other elevated work areas, serious and catastrophic injuries are often the result when there is a fall involving a construction worker. These incidents can injure not only the person who falls, but also those in the surrounding areas.
- Falling objects – Construction sites are busy places, with many workers doing different jobs simultaneously. Injuries from falling objects are preventable and should never happen on a properly supervised work site and safety rules are followed.
- Aerial lift accidents – Construction projects often use different types of aerial lifts which can lead to accidents if safety rules are not followed a lift malfunctions.
- Fires and explosions – Construction sites are home to many hazardous, combustible chemicals. A sudden spark or machinery malfunction can be an ignition source that causes a work site fire or explosion.
- Toxic chemical exposure – Many chemicals used on construction sites can be harmful if inhaled or contact is made with human skin. Those who work around these chemicals are at risk of toxic exposure. Chemical spills or fumes can injure outsiders as well.
Common Types of Construction Accident Injuries
Construction accidents frequently result in injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- External head or facial injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Internal organ damage
- PTSD, anxiety, depression, and emotional injuries
Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident in Houston?
Determining who is liable for a Houston construction accident often depends on many factors. If you suffered an on-the-job injury and your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, that policy should pay for your medical bills and a portion of your missed wages. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means workers who are injured on the job are covered regardless of who caused the accident. However, workers’ compensation insurance does not provide full compensation for injuries as it will not pay for medical care required and that workers’ comp will not approve, it does not pay 100% of earnings lost in the past or future, and it does not pay for human damages such as pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement, and more. If your injury was caused by another company or its employee, or if your employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to pursue a claim for negligence or product defect through a personal injury lawsuit. In this type lawsuit, an injured worker can pursue full justice for the harm caused including all reasonable and necessary medical care expenses, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and additional damages when supported by the evidence and the law. Examples of third parties who may be liable for construction accidents include:
- Contractors or subcontractors
- The owner of a construction site
- Equipment manufacturers
- Third-party drivers at the job site
Not sure what type of claim you have? Let a construction accident injury lawyer from The Callahan Law Firm review your case and fight for full and fair compensation for you.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered for Injured Victims of Jobsite Accidents?
A workers’ compensation claim will only pay for medical bills and a portion of your missed wages allowed under that limited system. A personal injury lawsuit allows you to pursue compensation for full justice, including:
- Medical care expenses
- The full amount of your lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
How Our Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You Pursue Justice
The Houston construction accident lawyers at The Callahan Law Firm can help you by:
- Investigating the incident
- Taking steps to preserve critical evidence
- Determining what happened and why
- Gathering evidence to support your damages
- Filing a lawsuit against the responsible parties
- Handling your lawsuit and preparing the case for trial
- Negotiating and settling your claim when possible
- Taking your case to trial and presenting it to a jury if the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer that is acceptable to you
After being injured in a workplace accident, many Texans never realize they have a valid personal injury claim and miss out on compensation they desperately need and are entitled to recover under the law. Working with a knowledgeable Houston, TX construction accident lawyer can help ensure that you make the proper claims against the responsible parties, and that you are not taking advantage of by insurance companies whose goal is to pay you and your family as little as possible. We work to make sure that does not happen.
Contact The Callahan Law Firm Today for a Free Claim Review
You deserve an attorney who will help you fight for the compensation you deserve after a worksite accident. Contact The Callahan Law Firm today for a free consultation with an experienced construction injury lawyer in Houston.
Workplace Injury
What Should I Do After a Workplace Accident?
To protect your health and your rights, you should take the following steps after a workplace accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Verbally notify your employer of the accident as soon as possible.
- Report the accident to your employer in writing when you are able, and keep a copy for yourself.
- Contact an experienced workplace accident attorney to discuss your legal options, which may include a personal injury claim, a workers’ compensation, or both, depending on your situation.
- Keep track of your time off from work and medical providers.
- Follow your physician’s treatment plan.
What Types of Workplace Injury Cases Does Your Law Firm Handle?
The legal team at The Callahan Law Firm handles personal injury claims in a wide range of workplace injury cases, including those that involve:
- Industrial accidents
- Manufacturing accidents
- Construction accidents
- Heavy equipment accidents
- Transportation accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Pipeline accidents
- Explosions
- Railroad worker accidents
- Oil field accidents including oil rig accidents
- Maritime accidents and other offshore accidents
Do I Need a Workplace Injury Lawyer?
While you can file a workplace injury claim without the assistance of a lawyer, it can be a confusing and challenging process, especially if you are still recovering from injuries. An experienced attorney can provide the guidance you need and handle the details of your claim to help you get the most compensation available under the law.
If your employer does not have workers’ compensation coverage or if a third party was responsible for your accident, having an experienced workplace accident lawyer becomes even more crucial as the attorney can help determine who is responsible, ensure a proper investigation is done and critical evidence is preserved, and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party on your behalf.
How Long Do You Have to File a Workplace Injury Lawsuit?
If a personal injury lawsuit needs to be filed because of a workplace accident, under Texas law, the general rule is that the lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. If you miss the deadline, you will likely lose your right to make your claim. That is why it is important to consult with a workplace accident lawyer as soon as possible to determine your rights when your claim must be filed, and take the necessary steps to maximize your financial recovery.
I Was in an Accident at Work. What Benefits Can I Claim?
It depends. If you were hurt on the job because of the negligence of a third party (a person or company – not your employer – who caused your injury), your claim can include compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and more. If the negligence of your employer caused your injury and your employer did not have workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to make a claim for negligence against the employer for compensation for these same elements of damages. If your employer did have workers’ compensation at the time of your injury, a workers’ comp claim can be made for benefits such as medical care and lost wages. And if a loved one tragically passed away due to work-related injuries, your family could be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim or death benefits from workers’ compensation. In many instances, more than one of these claims can be made. A knowledgeable workplace accident attorney can determine the type of claim or claims that can be made to ensure you and your family are fully compensated under the law.
