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San Antonio Construction Injury Lawyer: Your Rights After a Job Site Accident
San Antonio workplace injury lawyers handle construction accident cases involving some of the most dangerous work environments in Texas. Construction sites present hazards that injure and kill workers at rates far exceeding most other industries. A workplace injury lawyer in San Antonio understands the unique risks construction workers face and the complex liability issues these cases present. San Antonio workplace injury attorneys at J.A. Davis & Associates represent construction workers hurt in falls, struck-by accidents, equipment incidents, and other job site tragedies. Workplace injury lawyers in San Antonio fight for maximum compensation when employers and contractors fail to protect workers.
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Construction consistently ranks among the most dangerous industries in America. Falls, electrocutions, being struck by objects, and caught-in or caught-between accidents cause the majority of construction fatalities. These “Fatal Four” hazards also produce thousands of non-fatal injuries requiring medical treatment and time away from work. Texas construction workers face these dangers daily on residential, commercial, and industrial projects throughout the state.
The construction industry’s hazards are well known and largely preventable. Safety regulations exist to protect workers from foreseeable dangers. Proper equipment, adequate training, and effective supervision dramatically reduce injury rates on sites where safety is prioritized. When accidents occur, investigations often reveal failures to follow established safety protocols.
Common Construction Accident Types
Falls from heights cause more construction deaths than any other hazard. Workers on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, and elevated platforms face constant fall risks. Unprotected edges, unstable work surfaces, and inadequate fall protection systems contribute to these accidents. A fall from even modest heights can cause fatal or permanently disabling injuries.
Struck-by accidents happen when tools, materials, or equipment hit workers. Objects dropped from above, swinging loads, flying debris, and moving vehicles all strike workers on construction sites. Hard hats provide some protection, but the forces involved in many struck-by accidents overwhelm the protection they offer.
Electrocution kills construction workers who contact energized power lines, faulty wiring, or improperly grounded equipment. Working near overhead power lines presents particular dangers. Even non-fatal electrical injuries can cause severe burns, cardiac damage, and neurological problems.
Caught-in or caught-between accidents occur when workers are compressed, crushed, or trapped by equipment, materials, or collapsing structures. Trench cave-ins, equipment rollovers, and unguarded machinery cause these devastating injuries. Workers caught in these situations often cannot escape without rescue assistance.
Equipment accidents involve heavy machinery, power tools, and vehicles operating on construction sites. Cranes, forklifts, excavators, and other equipment can crush, strike, or run over workers. Equipment malfunctions due to poor maintenance also cause accidents.
Multiple Parties May Bear Liability
Construction sites involve complex relationships between owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment providers. This complexity creates multiple potential sources of compensation for injured workers beyond their direct employer.
Property owners owe duties to provide reasonably safe premises and may bear liability when site conditions cause injuries. General contractors typically control overall site safety and bear responsibility for hazards that affect all workers. Subcontractors are responsible for their own employees’ safety and may face claims from other workers they endanger.
Equipment manufacturers face strict liability when defective products cause construction injuries. Scaffolding that collapses, tools that malfunction, and safety equipment that fails can all result in manufacturer liability regardless of fault.
Third-party negligence claims supplement workers’ compensation benefits. While workers’ comp limits recovery against direct employers, claims against other parties can recover full damages for pain and suffering, complete lost wages, and other losses workers’ comp does not cover.
Texas Construction Safety Regulations
OSHA construction safety standards establish minimum requirements for protecting workers. These regulations address fall protection, scaffolding, excavations, electrical safety, personal protective equipment, and dozens of other hazard categories. Employers who violate OSHA standards and cause injuries face enhanced liability.
General duty clause requirements obligate employers to address recognized hazards even when specific standards do not exist. An employer cannot claim compliance with specific regulations while ignoring obvious dangers that threaten workers. The general duty clause fills gaps in specific standards.
Citation history reveals patterns of safety neglect. Employers with a record of repeated OSHA violations demonstrate disregard for worker safety, supporting punitive damage claims. Previous citations for the same hazards that caused your injury show the employer knew about dangers and failed to correct them.
Workers’ Compensation and Beyond
Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Some construction employers operate as non-subscribers, giving injured workers the right to file personal injury lawsuits. Non-subscriber claims can recover full damages that workers’ compensation does not provide.
Even when employers carry workers’ comp, injured construction workers may have third-party claims against other parties on the job site. These claims run parallel to workers’ compensation benefits and can substantially increase total recovery.
Determining all potential defendants requires a thorough investigation of job site conditions, contracts, and relationships. Experienced construction accident attorneys identify parties whose negligence contributed to injuries and pursue claims against each.
Protecting Your Rights After a Construction Accident
Report your injury to your employer immediately and in writing. Document the accident scene if possible with photographs. Identify witnesses who saw what happened. Seek medical attention promptly and follow through with all recommended treatment.
Contact a workplace injury lawyer before accepting any settlement offers. Insurance companies representing contractors and property owners work quickly to minimize their exposure. Early legal representation protects your interests during this critical time.
J.A. Davis & Associates has over 25 years of experience representing injured workers in San Antonio and throughout South Texas. Call 210-732-1062 today for a free consultation about your construction accident.