Reliable Houston Construction Accident Lawyers
Construction accidents are often catastrophic and cause severe physical and financial damage to victims and their families. Texas has various state and federal laws in place to protect construction workers from injury since these sites are known for being dangerous. Those involved in a Houston construction accident are entitled to significant compensation. However, the best way to receive the maximum compensation you're entitled to and to hold the at-fault party accountable is to hire a caring and experienced Houston construction accident attorney from Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys. We've been in the legal field for many years and are ready to go to war for our clients. From negotiating a fair insurance claim to preparing for a trial, we do it all. Our Houston construction accident attorneys will investigate the injuries, hire the necessary experts, and speak to witnesses to ensure our clients get the maximum settlement they deserve. Contact us today or fill in the online quote form for a free consultation.
Over $1 Billion Recovered
“When you get hurt, you need someone on your side who understands how things work here.”
What Our Clients Have To Say
I have worked with Schuerger Shunnarah twice and they have been very helpful on my personal injury cases. They went above and beyond my expectations and did a great job both times.
- Ashley C.
Schuerger Shunnarah helped me receive a settlement on my case in just months. I was treated with respect and dignity. Thanks to their help, I have been able to get my life back to normal.
- Michael S.
They provided me with excellent service throughout my personal injury case. They were available to answer my questions and helped me understand the process. I am very grateful for them!
- Deshawn B.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we have handled construction accidents for many years. These are often serious or fatal; therefore, we're ready to fight aggressively for our clients to ensure they get the compensation they deserve. Construction site accidents impact your physical and financial life, which is why it's crucial to hire a personal injury law firm that's committed to upholding your rights.
A few of the most common types of construction accidents we've dealt with over the years include:
Fatal Falls
Unfortunately, falls are the leading factor in work-related fatalities in the construction industry. This is concerning because construction sites often have elevated buildings filled with hazardous materials that can cause tragic slip-and-fall incidents. These incidents generally result in spinal cord injuries, cuts, catastrophic head injuries, and lacerations. Our Houston construction accident lawyers have won many wrongful death lawsuits involving the lack of or inappropriate use of fall prevention equipment.
Scaffolding Accidents
Scaffolding is usually pretty helpful as construction workers use it to repair buildings. Unfortunately, some of these buildings lack adequate safety and security due to shoddy construction. Because of this, the scaffolding may tilt, tremble, or even collapse, seriously injuring any nearby construction workers. Contact our knowledgeable attorneys in Houston if a loved one has suffered injuries in a scaffolding accident.
Burns on Construction Sites
There are various exposed cables, dangerous machines, and unattended power sources on construction sites, all of which can cause severe burns if mishandled. Chemical spills and electrical malfunctions can cause burn accidents on construction sites. Burn injuries can vary in severity, but they generally cause limb loss, deformity, and in some instances, loss of nerve function.
Lift Accidents
Although lift accidents are relatively uncommon, they are catastrophic when they do happen. They are generally caused by lifts that malfunction as a result of inadequate maintenance and when they do, the personnel inside are exposed to a dangerous fall, leading to severe injuries and occasionally death. In some instances, poorly guarded exposed elevator shafts are to blame for lift accidents. Whatever the reason, our construction site accident lawyers are ready to fight tooth and nail for justice.
Dangerous Equipment
Construction equipment should only be operated by qualified employees since it is complicated. However, construction companies generally allow uncertified employees to work with the equipment without any training to try save money. This poses a serious threat to the other workers and may result in unintentional fires, the dropping of building materials, and workers getting stuck underneath the machine. We have handled cases involving unsafe equipment for many years and know exactly how to approach them.
Crush Injuries
Since elevated sites are the norm, companies must install structures to give workers access to higher levels. The risk of small machinery, tools, or building materials falling and injuring workers below increases when the crew is working above ground. Fortunately, our construction site attorneys have handled crush injury cases before.
Chemical Exposure
You can find paints, adhesives, primers, and cleaners across construction sites. Even though these items are essential for premium building services, if handled improperly, they are a major threat. Long-term diseases could develop from continuous exposure without the appropriate safety equipment or instruction.
Trench Cave-ins
Construction site trenches can occasionally collapse, trapping workers within or causing significant injuries from cascading debris. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and death from suffocation are a few of the most common trench cave-in injuries. Our Houston construction site accident lawyers have dealt with many cases involving trench cave-in deaths.
What Are the Most Common Construction Accident Injuries?
Construction accidents can cause severe, life-altering injuries that are both disabling and permanent. A severe injury can alter how injured workers move, think, feel, and connect with others, as well as how they live, work, and interact with their loved ones.
Common construction injuries include:
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Back and spinal injuries
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Traumatic brain injuries
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Head injuries
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Burn injuries
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Amputation injuries
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Severe lacerations
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Crush injuries
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Internal organ damage
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Permanent nerve damage
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Impalement
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Eye injuries
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Paralysis
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Broken bones
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Electrocution injuries
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Wrongful death
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What Compensation Are Victims Entitled to?
Houston construction workers are entitled to different types of damages depending on how they decide to pursue compensation.
Workers can either be entitled to benefits through a workers' compensation insurance policy and/or damages in a lawsuit.
Workers' Compensation Benefits
In the state of Texas, not all employers are obliged to enroll in a workers' compensation insurance program. If yours doesn't, you will be able to sue them in civil court if they were a factor in your on-the-job injury.
However, you may be eligible for benefits if your company has a workers' compensation policy.
These benefits, which are confined in scope, consist of approved medical expenses, disability benefits, supplemental income benefits, and temporary income benefits.
Third-party Claims
You may be able to receive financial and non-financial damages if you decide to bring a third-party claim against your non-subscribing employer or another negligent party.
Financial losses are simple to count or quantify. These can be proved via documents, such as tax returns, pay stubs, and receipts.
A few examples of financial damages are:
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Medical bills
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Lost wages
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Loss of future income-earning capacity
Financial losses as a result of the construction accident need to be tabulated. Additionally, calculating the loss of future income potential is a difficult calculation that calls for specialized accounting understanding.
Now let's look at non-financial damages. The value of non-monetary damages is more difficult to quantify. Non-financial damages consist of:
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Pain and suffering
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Loss of enjoyment of life
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Emotional distress
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Disfigurement
Since these are more challenging to define, a total number is usually decided by collaboration between a number of experts and an experienced team of attorneys. Our legal team has established protocols for locating, calculating, and securing the settlement you are owed from the responsible party. Therefore, if you need a Houston construction accident lawyer, we're the team to call.
Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident?
Multiple parties can be held responsible in construction accidents depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident, such as:
Employers
Most construction site accidents happen on the job. Therefore, injured construction workers have the right to pursue workers' compensation benefits from their employer.
A few of the situations an employer may be held accountable for include:
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Failure to provide a safe working environment for construction workers
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Failing to maintain or certify dangerous equipment
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Failure to provide sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE)
Property Owners
If the injured construction worker can demonstrate unsafe working conditions on the property, they may have a strong legal case if they sustain injuries as a result of the property owner's negligence. The best way to address these premises liability cases for injury negligence is with the assistance of our knowledgeable Houston construction accident lawyers.
Property Manufacturers
Worker injuries may come from defective items that are the result of manufacturers' negligence. Let's say a construction incident is caused by subpar machinery.
If so, the construction worker might be able to sue the negligent manufacturing company and demand compensation.
Contractors and Third Parties
There are various forms of contractor negligence, including on-the-job risks such as:
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Failing to direct workflow properly
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Use of poor-quality or subpar materials
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Negligent construction site supervision
Client Testimonial
They were polite and really cared throughout the entire process and made me feel like my case was important. I would highly recommend them to anyone that didn’t get a fair offer from the insurance company like me!
- Brian D.
What to Do After a Construction Accident
To improve the chances of receiving maximum compensation, injured workers involved in a construction accident should follow these steps:
Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical assistance as soon as possible by calling 911, going to a nearby hospital in Houston, or, if you're able to, making an urgent appointment with your doctor.
Report the Construction Site Accident to Their Employer
To report an on-the-job injury brought on by a construction accident, get in touch with your employer and adhere to their reporting guidelines.
In Texas, employees have up to 30 days to give written notice of an occupational injury to their employer. You can maintain your eligibility for workers' compensation payments by filing within this window of time.
Gather Evidence
If you want to file a lawsuit against your company because they do not carry workers' compensation insurance, you must gather evidence and document the construction accident in detail.
Therefore, you need to take note of the location of the accident, your activities at the time it happened, any parties involved, and any evidence of what you think may have contributed to the event.
Statute of Limitations in Houston, Texas
The statute of limitations in Texas is two years from the date of the death or injury for cases involving construction accidents, including wrongful death claims. An injured individual may lose their right to compensation permanently if the deadline has passed and they have not filed a claim.
However, when an injured worker applies for workers' compensation payments, there are several restrictions that apply. To notify your employer that you've been injured, you have up to 30 days. You will then have one year to submit a formal request for benefits if you participate in a workers' compensation insurance program.
It is always advised for an accident victim to contact legal counsel as soon as possible. In this way, the lawyer can start working on the case and ensure that the claim is filed on time.
Experienced and knowledgeable attorneys will ensure that the lawsuit is filed before the statute of limitations expires. Even if the settlement discussions are nearing a conclusion, the aggrieved party may have more negotiating power if they file a lawsuit.
Why Choose Us?
Dealing with construction injuries alone is pretty challenging. The last thing you need to worry about is a difficult insurance company or a possible lawsuit.
The legal team at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys in Houston, Texas, is here to help you get back on your feet.
A few of the things we'll take care of while you focus on recovering include:
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Gathering evidence
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Calculating losses
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Consulting with experts
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Communicating with involved parties
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Fighting for your rights during negotiations
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Representing you at trial
Our team will be by your side and fight for your rights as you pursue compensation. We are available to deal with problems as they come up, keep you updated, and respond to your inquiries. Furthermore, we can handle any insurance or legal responsibilities, so you can focus your time and efforts on getting better. We'll be your shoulder to cry on throughout the entire process.
Contact a Houston Construction Accident Attorney Today!
The construction industry is known for being extremely dangerous. Workers should not have to suffer because of an accident that wasn't their fault.
Victims are entitled to compensation if they were injured in a construction site accident or as a result of someone else's carelessness. The comfort and financial security of you or your family should not be sacrificed in order to pay for your medical care, necessary recovery time, and other losses. Furthermore, the same holds true if a fatal construction accident claimed the life of a loved one.
Our Houston construction accident attorneys will aggressively, empathetically, and respectfully represent you so that you can concentrate on your family and your health.
Contact us today for a free consultation and to find out the value of your construction accident case.