Construction sites require workers to perform demanding tasks around heavy equipment and unfinished structures. When a contractor or another party fails to control known hazards, a preventable incident can result in extensive medical treatment and an uncertain return to work. The area sees steady commercial and residential construction, which keeps these risks present year-round.
A Cypress construction accident lawyer can determine which legal remedies apply to your circumstances. A trusted work injury lawyer from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could investigate the conditions that caused your injury and pursue compensation from every party whose conduct contributed to the accident.
Construction Hazards and Potentially Liable Parties
Construction accidents often result from preventable failures on a busy site. These incidents can arise when companies fail to provide proper fall protection or train workers for the assignments they receive. Common construction site accidents include:
- Falls from scaffolds or unfinished floors
- Collisions involving cranes or forklifts
- Trench collapses and structural failures
- Electrical contact and fires
- Injuries from falling tools or unsecured materials
- Defective machinery and safety-equipment failures
- Crushing injuries involving vehicles or machinery
Our Cypress construction accident attorneys consider more than just the company that issued your paycheck, because they are not necessarily the only party connected to the accident. A general contractor may have retained control over site-wide safety, while a subcontractor may have created a dangerous condition. A property owner or an equipment manufacturer could also share responsibility, so a broader investigation could reveal third-party claims that provide compensation beyond an employer-sponsored injury system.
Can You Sue After a Jobsite Injury?
Your right to file a lawsuit depends partly on your employer’s workers’ compensation status. When an employer participates in the state system, workers’ compensation generally provides benefits while limiting negligence lawsuits against that employer. This restriction ordinarily does not prevent a claim against an independent third party, such as a careless subcontractor or equipment company.
State law also permits many private employers to operate without workers’ compensation coverage. The law refers to these businesses as non-subscribers. Under Texas Labor Code § 406.033, a non-subscriber cannot rely on several defenses commonly used in ordinary negligence cases, such as an argument that another employee caused the injury or that the worker assumed the risk. Our Cypress lawyers with experience in construction accident cases could verify the employer’s coverage status and determine which evidence supports claims against the employer or a third party.
Compensation That Reflects the Full Impact of Your Injuries
Construction injuries can affect more than your immediate medical expenses. A serious fall or crush injury may require surgery and ongoing specialist care, and some workers cannot return to their former trade. Recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
When an accident results in death, eligible family members may have separate rights under the state’s wrongful death law.
Evidence from a construction site can disappear quickly as crews repair equipment and proceed with their work. Your Cypress legal team could request surveillance footage from the accident and preserve construction machinery before repairs take place. We can also work with safety professionals and vocational experts when technical testimony is necessary. State law generally imposes a two-year limitation period on personal injury lawsuits under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, although different deadlines can apply.
Speak With a Cypress Construction Accident Attorney Today
A serious construction injury can create uncertainty about your medical care and who is responsible for the unsafe conditions that caused it. You do not have to determine the employer’s coverage status or confront contractors and insurers without legal guidance. These claims often involve several insurers and contractors, so having one legal team coordinate them could protect your recovery.
Contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris to discuss your situation with a Cypress construction accident lawyer. The first consultation is free, and we could evaluate the circumstances surrounding the incident and help you move forward with clarity.
