Construction jobs are among the most dangerous in the United States. Injuries sustained at construction sites are often severe and even fatal. Negligent behavior of contractors often leads to serious outcomes.
You can seek compensation if you have been injured as a worker or a passerby in a construction accident. Working with an experienced Houston construction accident lawyer could improve your chances of getting the money you deserve. Call our law office today to speak with a skilled workplace injury attorney.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
Construction accidents typically happen because of someone’s negligent actions. The most common causes include the following:
- Falls from Heights
- Falling Objects
- Electrocution
- Slip and Trip Hazards
- Heavy Machinery Accidents
- Scaffolding Collapses
In Texas, workers’ compensation insurance is optional for many companies, including contractors. An employee who sustained injuries on the job may not be entitled to benefits under workers’ comp law. To seek fair compensation in Houston, they must work with an experienced construction accident lawyer.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Construction Accidents
If a construction worker sustains injuries on the job and their employer has workers’ compensation insurance, they can obtain benefits.
Employees can receive benefits from workers’ compensation insurance, including medical expense coverage, temporary income benefits, and impairment income benefits.
While medical expenses are usually well-covered, workers can only recover a percentage of lost wages for the period when they cannot attend work. For example, the temporary income benefits only pay 70% to 75% of the average weekly wage with a cap set by the Texas government. A reliable personal injury attorney could explain this process in more detail.
Personal Injury Lawsuits for Construction Accidents
If a person who sustained injuries is a passerby or an employee whose employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, they can file a personal injury lawsuit. This type of lawsuit involves proving the at-fault party’s negligence by demonstrating the following:
Duty of Care
The at-fault party should have a duty of care to the injured individual. For example, an employer has a legal duty to protect employees from harm in the workplace. Meanwhile, contractors have a duty to ensure the safety of visitors to the construction site.
Breach of Duty of Care
Breaching the duty of care involves putting people to whom the duty of care is owed in danger. For instance, failing to act reasonably to protect employees and passersby at construction sites is considered a breach of duty.
Incurred Injuries
The next step is showing that the injury was sustained due to the neglected duty of care. To prove this, a competent construction accident lawyer in Houston must provide evidence such as witness testimonies, forensic reports, surveillance videos, and more.
Damages
The final step demonstrates that the injuries sustained at the construction site led to damages. The evidence supporting this claim is medical bills, prescriptions, photos and videos of injuries, and doctors’ reports. The more quality evidence the injured party can present, the more likely they are to claim maximum damages.
Contact an Experienced Houston Construction Accident Lawyer Today
You can pursue compensation if you or your loved one was hurt in a construction accident. To do so, you must take a comprehensive approach to filing claims and taking legal action.
At KGS Law Group, we are passionate about helping people injured at construction sites get the money they deserve. Please contact our Houston construction accident lawyers anytime to schedule a consultation.