Construction Site Hazards & Third-Party Liability Claims - Highland Village TX Attorneys

In Texas, the construction industry contributed $137 billion in GDP in 2023 alone. An unfortunate side effect of Texas’ booming construction sector, however, is the high volume of workplace accidents and injuries suffered by construction workers.

The intricacies of construction jobs can make these workplace injuries particularly complicated, as they often involve multiple parties holding some degree of liability. Luckily, our team of Texas work injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw has decades of experience winning cases just like these for victims in and around Highland Village.

Liability in workplace accidents hinges on proving negligence. Construction accident negligence occurs when one or more parties fail to exercise reasonable care, resulting in unsafe conditions or actions that lead to an accident. Victims can hold negligent parties liable for their construction site injuries.

When the liable party is not the direct employer of the victim, this constitutes “third party” liability, which can complicate the legal process.

Accident victims in third-party cases do not have the same right to pursue workers’ compensation insurance. Still, they can pursue compensation by suing in civil court with the assistance of experienced Highland Village work accident attorneys.

While workers’ compensation does not require victims to prove negligence, it also limits the compensation for victims who can sue their direct employer. For this reason, third-party liability claims by victims with a reasonable attorney can be more difficult to pursue but also more lucrative.

The complex nature of most construction sites means that numerous parties work together simultaneously. This can result in many hazards for which third parties are liable, such as:

• Falls from scaffolding or ladders
• Being struck by equipment or falling objects
• Exposed electrical wires
• Cave-ins and collapses
• Unmarked hazards such as trenches
• Faulty equipment
• Exposure to hazardous materials

Victims are likely entitled to pursue damages in civil court if these hazards result in a Highland Village construction accident case.

When pursuing compensation through a civil lawsuit, “damages” are used to quantify the amount of money victims are entitled to. The most common type of damages are “economic” and can be calculated easily through bills, receipts, and other forms of documentation. Some common forms of economic damage include:

• Reimbursement for medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Reimbursement of legal costs
• Future medical/ rehabilitation costs

“Non-economic” damages can be more challenging to calculate as they involve more subjective factors. A Texas attorney can clarify which of your damages are considered non-economic. Examples of this type of damage are:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of reputation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress

These damages are often calculated using the “multiplier method,” in which a number between 1.5 and 5 is selected based on the severity of the victim's circumstances. That number is then multiplied by the total economic damages won by the victim.

Having a trusted construction accident lawyer in Highland Village, Texas, on your side significantly improves your odds of favorable results, including compensation. In addition to the complexities of any court case, these types of claims may involve multiple parties and pit victims against high-powered corporate legal teams. Your attorney will thus be tasked with collecting evidence, negotiating insurance claims, handling communications, conducting a private investigation on your behalf, providing invaluable support, and more.

The workplace injuries attorneys at Carabin Shaw have decades of experience winning cases for victims like you. Check out our client reviews for proof of our stellar track record. To get started risk-free, call us at 800-862-1260, where our English and Spanish-speaking staff is available 24/7 to set you up with a free case review.

Additionally, we offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning we will not collect payment until we have won your case.

For more information:

• agc.org
• TDI