Houston Construction Accident Lawyers Fighting for Injured Workers

TL;DR (In short): Harper Law Firm represents Houston construction workers injured in falls, equipment accidents, electrocutions, and other worksite incidents. As a true litigation firm, we understand the unique legal issues affecting construction injury claims and fight for full compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits.

Houston’s Construction Boom and Worker Safety Risks

Houston’s relentless growth makes it one of America’s largest construction markets. From downtown high-rises to suburban developments, from petrochemical plants to infrastructure projects, construction activity spans every corner of the metropolitan area. This building boom employs hundreds of thousands of workers and creates enormous economic opportunity—but also extraordinary risks for worker safety.

Construction consistently ranks among the most dangerous industries, with falls, equipment accidents, electrocutions, and struck-by incidents causing thousands of serious injuries and hundreds of deaths annually in Texas. Houston’s size and construction volume mean local workers face these hazards at massive scale.

Harper Law Firm represents Houston construction workers who suffer injuries due to contractor negligence, unsafe working conditions, defective equipment, and safety violations. Our litigation-focused approach holds responsible parties accountable and obtains full compensation for injured workers.

Major Houston Construction Sectors

Houston’s construction industry encompasses diverse sectors, each with specific hazards:

Commercial and High-Rise Construction in downtown Houston and the Galleria area involves elevated work, crane operations, and complex coordination among multiple contractors. Falls from height and struck-by incidents are constant risks.

Residential Construction in rapidly growing suburbs like Katy, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands involves framing hazards, roofing risks, and electrical dangers. Production pressure often leads to safety shortcuts.

Industrial Construction at refineries, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities along the Ship Channel presents fire hazards, confined space dangers, and exposure to toxic substances.

Infrastructure Construction on highway projects, bridge construction, and utility installation exposes workers to traffic hazards, excavation dangers, and underground utility strikes.

Petrochemical Plant Turnarounds involve intensive maintenance and upgrade projects at refineries requiring thousands of temporary workers under tight schedules—conditions that historically produce high injury rates.

Each sector requires specific safety knowledge and presents unique legal issues. Our attorneys understand these differences and build cases tailored to each situation.

OSHA’s Construction Focus Four Hazards

OSHA identifies four hazard categories responsible for the majority of construction deaths:

Falls remain the leading cause of construction fatalities, accounting for approximately one-third of all deaths. Falls from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, and other elevated work surfaces cause catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple fractures.

Struck-By accidents occur when workers are hit by falling objects, swinging equipment, vehicles, or collapsing structures. Hard hats provide minimal protection against heavy objects falling from height.

Caught-In/Between hazards include trench collapses, equipment entanglement, and being crushed between objects. These incidents often cause amputation injuries and fatalities.

Electrocution from contact with power lines, energized equipment, or improper wiring kills dozens of construction workers annually and causes severe burn injuries to survivors.

OSHA requires construction employers to address these Focus Four hazards. Violations of OSHA standards establish negligence per se under Texas law, strengthening injury claims.

Legal Options for Injured Houston Construction Workers

Construction injury claims involve unique legal considerations that distinguish them from typical workplace accidents. Understanding these issues is crucial for maximizing recovery.

Workers’ Compensation and Its Limitations

If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you’re generally entitled to benefits including medical care and partial wage replacement. However, workers’ comp has significant limitations:

Benefits are capped at statutory amounts regardless of actual damages.

No compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or reduced quality of life.

Lost wage benefits replace only a portion of actual earnings.

No right to sue your direct employer for negligence.

Workers’ comp provides basic protection but often falls far short of fair compensation for serious injuries. That’s why third-party claims are crucial for construction workers.

Third-Party Claims Against Other Responsible Parties

Even when workers’ comp bars claims against your employer, you can sue other parties whose negligence contributed to your injury:

General contractors and project owners may be liable for overall site safety, contractor selection, and coordination failures. Property owners have duties to maintain safe premises.

Subcontractors other than your employer may be liable for creating hazards that injured you. On multi-contractor sites, another company’s negligence often causes injuries.

Equipment manufacturers face product liability claims when defective tools, machinery, scaffolding, or safety equipment causes injuries.

Architects and engineers may be liable for design defects that create hazardous conditions.

Equipment rental companies may be liable for renting defective or improperly maintained equipment.

These third-party claims allow recovery beyond workers’ comp limits, including full compensation for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.

Non-Subscriber Claims

Texas doesn’t require employers to carry workers’ compensation. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you can sue them directly for negligence. Non-subscriber claims offer significant advantages:

No arbitrary damage caps—you can recover full compensation.

Right to trial by jury.

Access to punitive damages for gross negligence.

Employers who opt out of workers’ comp lose most common law defenses.

Many Houston construction companies operate as non-subscribers. Our investigation determines your employer’s status and identifies all available claims.

Common Types of Houston Construction Accidents

Our firm handles all types of construction accident cases:

Fall Accidents

Falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, and other elevated surfaces cause the most construction deaths and serious injuries. These accidents often result from inadequate fall protection, defective equipment, improper scaffold assembly, or unsafe ladder use. We investigate fall protection violations and hold responsible parties accountable.

Equipment and Machinery Accidents

Heavy equipment including cranes, forklifts, excavators, and power tools causes serious injuries when improperly operated, poorly maintained, or defectively designed. Equipment accidents cause crushing injuries, amputations, and fatalities. We pursue claims against equipment operators, owners, manufacturers, and maintenance providers.

Trench and Excavation Collapses

Trench collapses kill workers rapidly through suffocation and crush injuries. OSHA requires protective systems in trenches deeper than five feet. Violations of trenching standards demonstrate clear negligence. We hold contractors accountable for trench safety failures.

Electrocution and Electrical Injuries

Contact with power lines, energized equipment, and improper wiring causes electrocution deaths and severe electrical burns. Electrical injuries often cause permanent cardiac damage, neurological injuries, and disfiguring burns.

Struck-By and Falling Object Accidents

Workers struck by falling tools, materials, crane loads, or other objects suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and crush injuries. Proper tool lanyards, toe boards, and overhead protection prevent these accidents.

Building Strong Construction Accident Cases

Construction accident cases require thorough investigation and specialized expertise. Harper Law Firm’s litigation focus means we build cases designed to win at trial.

Immediate Investigation

Evidence preservation in construction cases is crucial:

Accident scenes change rapidly as work continues. We arrange for immediate documentation before conditions are altered.

Safety records, training documentation, and equipment maintenance logs may be altered or destroyed. We send preservation demands immediately.

Witness memories fade quickly. We interview witnesses promptly to preserve their observations.

Equipment that caused injuries may be repaired, discarded, or altered. We arrange for expert examination before evidence is lost.

OSHA may investigate serious accidents. We coordinate with their investigation and obtain their findings.

Expert Analysis

Construction cases require expert testimony on safety standards, causation, and damages:

Construction safety experts establish industry standards and identify violations. They explain how proper safety measures would have prevented injuries.

Engineers analyze equipment failures, structural collapses, and design defects.

Medical experts connect injuries to accident mechanisms and project future care needs.

Vocational experts assess work limitations and lost earning capacity.

Economists calculate lifetime financial losses from serious injuries.

We retain qualified experts and prepare them to present compelling testimony at trial.

Compensation for Houston Construction Injuries

Serious construction injuries often result in permanent disabilities affecting workers’ ability to earn a living and enjoy life. Full compensation must address lifetime impacts:

Economic Damages

Medical expenses including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment. Lifetime medical costs for catastrophic injuries can exceed millions of dollars.

Lost wages and benefits from time missed during recovery.

Reduced earning capacity when injuries prevent return to construction work or any employment. Construction workers often have limited alternative job options.

Retraining costs if workers must pursue new careers due to physical limitations.

Non-Economic Damages

Physical pain and suffering from injuries and treatment.

Mental anguish including anxiety, depression, and PTSD common after traumatic accidents.

Physical impairment and loss of enjoyment of life.

Disfigurement from burns, scarring, or amputations.

Punitive Damages

When contractors knowingly violate safety requirements or act with gross negligence, punitive damages may be available. These damages punish wrongdoers and deter similar conduct.

Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Construction Accidents

Can I sue if I’m covered by workers’ compensation?

Yes—you can pursue claims against parties other than your direct employer, including general contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and other subcontractors. These third-party claims allow recovery beyond workers’ comp limits.

What if I was partially at fault for my construction accident?

Texas comparative negligence rules allow recovery even if you share some fault, as long as you’re not more than 50% responsible. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Employers and contractors often try to blame workers—we fight these tactics.

How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit?

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, evidence disappears quickly on construction sites. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve crucial evidence.

What should I do after a construction accident?

Report the injury to your supervisor, seek medical attention, document everything you can about conditions and witnesses, keep copies of all records, and contact an attorney before giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters.

Will filing a claim affect my job?

Texas law prohibits retaliation against workers who file workers’ compensation claims. Third-party claims don’t involve your employer directly. If you face retaliation, document it and inform your attorney—it may strengthen your case.

Contact Houston Construction Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been injured on a Houston construction site, you need attorneys who understand construction law and how to fight contractors and their insurers. Harper Law Firm offers free consultations to all construction accident victims.

We work on contingency—you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. Our aggressive representation has helped construction workers throughout Texas obtain the compensation they deserve.

Contact Harper Law Firm today. Let our experienced construction accident lawyers fight for your rights while you focus on recovery.