San Antonio Construction Accident Lawyer Fighting for Injured Workers

Aggressive Representation for Construction Site Injuries

Construction work is among the most dangerous occupations in America. Every day, construction workers face falls from heights, electrocution hazards, struck-by accidents, caught-in-between dangers, and countless other life-threatening conditions. When safety protocols fail and workers get hurt, the consequences are often catastrophic.

Texas consistently leads the nation in construction worker fatalities. The construction industry accounts for more workplace deaths in Texas than any other sector. San Antonio’s ongoing development boom—major highway expansions on Loop 1604, I-10, and I-35, plus residential and commercial construction across the city—means thousands of workers face these dangers daily.

Harper Law Firm represents construction workers injured due to unsafe conditions, negligent contractors, defective equipment, and other preventable hazards. We understand the unique legal landscape Texas construction workers face, including the state’s unusual workers’ compensation system that leaves many workers without employer-provided coverage.

Texas Construction Workers Face Unique Legal Challenges

Texas is the only state that doesn’t require private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. While some large construction companies provide coverage, many don’t—leaving injured workers without the safety net available in other states.

This creates two distinct paths for injured construction workers:

If your employer carries workers’ compensation: You may receive medical benefits and wage replacement through the workers’ comp system. However, workers’ comp benefits are limited and don’t include compensation for pain and suffering. You generally cannot sue your employer directly, but third-party claims against other negligent parties may be available.

If your employer is a “non-subscriber”: You retain the right to sue your employer directly for negligence. Non-subscribers cannot use many traditional defenses and may be liable for your full damages, including pain and suffering.

Additionally, even workers covered by workers’ comp may have third-party claims against:

• General contractors who controlled site safety
• Subcontractors whose negligence caused injuries
• Property owners who created or allowed hazardous conditions
• Equipment manufacturers whose defective products caused injuries
• Architects or engineers whose negligent designs created hazards

True Litigation Firm Taking on Construction Companies

Construction accident cases often involve multiple parties, complex liability questions, and well-funded corporate defendants. General contractors, subcontractors, and their insurers fight these claims aggressively.

Harper Law Firm prepares every construction accident case for trial. Our approach includes:

• Immediate site investigation to preserve evidence before it disappears
• OSHA records review for prior violations and citations
• Analysis of safety protocols and whether they were followed
• Identification of all potentially liable parties
• Expert consultation on construction safety standards
• Thorough documentation of injuries and future medical needs
• Aggressive negotiation backed by genuine trial preparation

When construction companies and insurers refuse fair settlements, we’re prepared to fight in the courtroom.

Common Construction Accident Causes

Falls from Heights

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, accounting for approximately one-third of all construction fatalities. Workers fall from:

• Scaffolding that collapses or lacks proper guardrails
• Ladders that are defective, improperly positioned, or misused
• Roofs without adequate fall protection
• Unprotected floor openings
• Aerial lifts and elevated work platforms
• Steel structures during erection

OSHA requires fall protection for workers at heights of six feet or more in construction. When employers fail to provide proper fall protection—guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems—they violate federal law and may be liable for resulting injuries.

Struck-By Accidents

Construction workers are frequently struck by:

• Falling tools, materials, and debris
• Swinging or moving equipment and loads
• Vehicles and heavy equipment in work zones
• Collapsing structures and excavation cave-ins

These accidents cause severe traumatic injuries including head trauma, fractures, and fatalities.

Electrocution

Electrical hazards cause numerous construction deaths and injuries each year. Workers face electrocution from:

• Contact with overhead power lines
• Improper wiring and electrical systems
• Damaged cords and equipment
• Failure to de-energize equipment during maintenance
• Inadequate grounding

Electrocution can cause death, severe burns, cardiac arrest, neurological damage, and falls from heights after electrical shock.

Caught-In/Between Accidents

Workers are injured when caught in or compressed by:

• Machinery and equipment with unguarded moving parts
• Collapsing trenches and excavations (trench collapses are almost always fatal without immediate rescue)
• Rotating equipment
• Crushing injuries between equipment and fixed objects

Scaffolding Accidents

Scaffold collapses and falls from scaffolding cause numerous injuries every year. Common causes include:

• Improper scaffold erection
• Exceeding weight capacity
• Missing guardrails and planking
• Defective scaffold components
• Failure to inspect before use

Crane Accidents

Crane-related accidents can devastate entire construction sites. Hazards include:

• Crane tip-overs from improper setup or overloading
• Dropped loads striking workers below
• Boom collapse
• Contact with power lines
• Rigging failures

Highway Construction Zone Accidents

San Antonio’s extensive highway expansion projects—Loop 1604, I-10, I-35, and other corridors—create special dangers for road construction workers. Workers face:

• Vehicles entering work zones at high speeds
• Crashes sending vehicles into construction areas
• Poor visibility during night work
• Heavy equipment operating in confined spaces

Trench and Excavation Accidents

Trench collapses are among the most deadly construction accidents. Soil can weigh thousands of pounds per cubic yard, crushing workers within seconds. OSHA requires protective systems for trenches five feet or deeper, yet violations remain common.

OSHA Violations and Construction Accidents

How OSHA Violations Establish Negligence

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets minimum safety standards for construction sites. When employers violate these standards and workers get hurt, the violations can help establish negligence in civil lawsuits.

OSHA’s “Focus Four” hazards cause the majority of construction fatalities:

• Falls
• Struck-by accidents
• Electrocution
• Caught-in/between accidents

Common OSHA Violations

Frequent construction site OSHA violations include:

• Failure to provide fall protection
• Inadequate scaffolding safety measures
• Missing guardrails around floor openings
• Lack of protective equipment
• Electrical hazards
• Unshored trenches and excavations
• Defective or missing machine guards
• Inadequate hazard communication

Using OSHA Records in Your Case

Our attorneys investigate employers’ OSHA history, including:

• Prior citations for similar violations
• Safety program deficiencies
• Training record gaps
• Patterns of non-compliance

This evidence can demonstrate that employers knew of hazards and failed to correct them.

Third-Party Construction Accident Claims

Even when workers’ compensation applies, injured construction workers often have claims against parties other than their direct employer:

General Contractors

General contractors typically control overall site safety. When they fail to:

• Coordinate safety among subcontractors
• Enforce safety rules across the project
• Correct known hazards
• Provide adequate safety equipment

…they may be liable to injured workers employed by subcontractors.

Property Owners

Property owners who hire contractors may be liable when they:

• Retain control over safety aspects of the work
• Create hazardous conditions on the property
• Know of dangers and fail to warn
• Hire contractors they know are unqualified or unsafe

Equipment Manufacturers

When defective equipment causes injuries, manufacturers may face product liability claims. Defects include:

• Design flaws that make equipment unreasonably dangerous
• Manufacturing defects creating individual product failures
• Inadequate warnings or instructions

Other Subcontractors

When one subcontractor’s negligence injures another subcontractor’s employee, the negligent subcontractor may be liable.

Architects and Engineers

Professional negligence in design that creates construction hazards may support claims against architects and engineers.

Types of Construction Accident Injuries

Construction accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Falls, struck-by accidents, and equipment impacts cause traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to permanent cognitive impairment.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Falls and crushing accidents can damage the spinal cord, causing partial or complete paralysis.

Amputations

Machinery accidents, caught-in/between incidents, and crushing injuries may result in traumatic amputation or surgical amputation.

Severe Burns

Electrical accidents, explosions, and chemical exposures cause severe burns requiring extensive treatment and skin grafts.

Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries

Falls, struck-by accidents, and caught-in incidents cause complex fractures often requiring multiple surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation.

Electrocution Injuries

Electrical contact causes burns, cardiac damage, neurological injuries, and secondary fall injuries.

Wrongful Death

When construction accidents cause death, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims against responsible parties.

Compensation for Construction Accident Victims

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If your employer provides workers’ comp coverage, benefits may include:

• Medical treatment for work-related injuries
• Temporary income benefits during recovery
• Impairment income benefits for permanent impairment
• Supplemental income benefits for wage loss after maximum medical improvement
• Death benefits for surviving dependents

Third-Party Claim Damages

Third-party claims (and claims against non-subscriber employers) may include:

Economic Damages:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages during recovery
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Vocational rehabilitation costs

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Permanent disability and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or intentional safety violations

What to Do After a Construction Accident

At the Scene

Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries
Report the accident to your supervisor and document the report
Identify witnesses and get their contact information
Document the scene with photographs if possible
Note unsafe conditions that contributed to your injury
Preserve evidence including damaged equipment and clothing

After the Accident

File a workers’ compensation claim if applicable
Follow all medical recommendations
Keep detailed records of treatment and expenses
Document lost work and income
Do not sign any releases from employers or insurers
Contact Harper Law Firm for free consultation on your legal options

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue my employer for a construction accident in Texas?

It depends on whether your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance. If they’re a “non-subscriber,” you can sue directly. If they carry workers’ comp, your remedies against your direct employer are generally limited to workers’ comp benefits—but third-party claims against other responsible parties may be available.

What if my employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation?

You may sue your employer directly for negligence. Non-subscriber employers lose many traditional defenses and may be liable for your full damages including pain and suffering.

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

The general statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. Workers’ compensation claims have shorter deadlines—typically you must report injuries within 30 days and file claims within one year. Contact an attorney promptly.

What if I was partially at fault for my accident?

Texas allows recovery even if you share some fault, as long as you weren’t more than 50% responsible. Your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage.

Can undocumented workers file construction accident claims?

Yes. Immigration status does not prevent workers from pursuing workers’ compensation benefits or personal injury claims in Texas.

Serving San Antonio Construction Workers

Harper Law Firm represents construction workers throughout San Antonio and Bexar County, including workers on:

• Highway construction projects (Loop 1604, I-10, I-35 expansions)
• Commercial building construction
• Residential developments
• Industrial facilities
• Renovation and remodeling projects
• Infrastructure and utility projects

Contact San Antonio Construction Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you need experienced attorneys who understand the unique legal challenges Texas construction workers face and will fight for maximum compensation.

Harper Law Firm offers free, no-obligation consultations where we’ll:

• Review the circumstances of your accident
• Explain your legal options under Texas law
• Identify all potentially liable parties
• Discuss workers’ comp and third-party claim possibilities
• Provide honest assessment of your case

Construction workers build our city. When negligent contractors and unsafe conditions cause injuries, those workers deserve justice. Contact Harper Law Firm today—your San Antonio construction accident lawyers are ready to fight for maximum compensation.