The construction industry is one of the most dangerous professions, and the causes of construction site accidents are numerous. The workplace fatality rate in Houston is many times greater than Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. In fact, the Houston metro area even outranks Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City in terms of construction-related accidents and injuries. Although the construction injury rate in Texas has been on the decline, the state’s construction sites still have a long way to go in improving the safety conditions for workers.
Falling & Tripping
According to OSHA, the most common cause of injuries and deaths on construction sites is falling. Tripping over exposed wiring, slipping on slick walkways, and tumbling from great heights accounted for nearly 40 percent of construction worker fatalities in 2016 alone. If leaks are not properly repaired, railings are not supported properly, or scaffolding isn’t secure, the likelihood of slipping, tripping, and falling becomes far too high.
Transportation Accidents
Other common causes behind construction-related deaths include transportation accidents, exposure to dangerous objects, and contact with hazardous materials. Accidents between two motor vehicles, collisions between a vehicle and a stationary object, and overturned vehicles combined accounted for nearly 25 percent of injuries and fatalities suffered by construction workers and pedestrians. In fact, 1 in 6 workers suffered injuries caused by falling objects and becoming trapped in collapsing structures, and other factors like electrocution, overdoses, and heat contributed to another 15 percent of fatalities.
Violations of Safety Standards
Most of these deaths and injuries are the result of violations of established workplace safety standards. Inadequate scaffolding, poor communication, lack of protection against respiratory risks, and wiring issues are all unacceptable hazards in the workplace. Construction worker and pedestrian injuries that are caused by any of these safety violations could be grounds for pursuing legal recourse, so consulting with a qualified Houston personal injury lawyer is crucial to ensuring that victims obtain the full value of their claim.
If you want to see if you have a valid claim to pursue a construction injury case, contact the qualified legal team at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Ngueyn, MD, JD today. Nhan Nguyen, Nader A. Rabie, and the other experienced members of our legal team can help you navigate the complex legal process while you focus on your own recovery.
Houston Construction Site Accident Lawyers
Construction sites are one of the most dangerous places to work in the United States. Out of 4,779 reported private-sector worker deaths in 2018, 1,008 were in the construction industry — accounting for 21.1 percent of workplace fatalities. The most common cause of construction crash fatalities involved falling, but construction workers face a host of other hazards while on the job.
In Texas, around 200 people are killed in construction site accidents each year. Losing a loved one is never easy. You need a qualified Texas construction injury attorney who understands the law and has the resources to protect your right to compensation. The team at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD has over 14 years of combined legal experience. If you or a loved one has been unfairly injured in a construction site accident, give us a call today at 713-840-7200.
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