Subcontractor Negligence in Azle Texas - When Another Company is at Fault for Your Work Injury

As a Texas construction worker, you understand the risks you undertake daily, and you take every possible step to mitigate them. What happens when a subcontractor on your site causes an accident that leaves you with severe injuries? An experienced personal injury attorney can provide valuable assistance. Located just 17 miles from Fort Worth, Azle is a small but growing community. The city has numerous construction projects underway, including a new junior high school and retail development at the 700 Block of FM 730 N. Construction sites are busy and complex, with numerous parties involved in completing these essential projects.

Construction accidents are common, and the Azle TX work accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw often help victims of these accidents whose injuries were caused by the negligence of another. We help victims identify potential subcontractor fault to ensure they receive maximum damages for their injuries. If you’ve been hurt, we are available 24/7 with free consultations in English or Spanish. Call our law firm toll-free now at 800-862-1260.

Of the thousands of construction injuries that occur annually, 31% are due to slips, trips, and falls. Tragically, fall protection is also the most frequently violated safety standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Other common causes of construction accidents include:

• Struck by an object
• Electrocution
• Caught between equipment

Many of these accidents could have been prevented if everyone on the site had strictly followed safety regulations. Unfortunately, the number of workers on any project increases the risk of violations, accidents, and injuries. If you were injured in such a manner and believe the negligence of another caused your accident, contact the Texas lawyers at Carabin Shaw as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

While contractors and subcontractors work together to complete construction projects in Azle, their responsibilities differ. The developer or property owner usually hires contractors. They oversee the project from the planning and budgeting to worker scheduling and daily project management.

Contractors often hire subcontractors who specialize in specific areas, such as roofing or plumbing. These workers are typically on site temporarily until they complete their assignment. They must follow all the same regulations as the general contractor to keep the work site safe.

Actual control determines whether a subcontractor or contractor is liable for your injuries. If the general contractor:

• Told the subcontractor how to do their job
• Was on-site at all times
• Conducted daily inspections of the subcontractor’s work
• Had the authority to alter a subcontractor’s work for safety purposes
• Knew about the potentially dangerous circumstance

These actions indicate the contractor had actual control and could be held liable for your accident and injuries. If the contractor did not have control, the subcontractor, known as a third party, could be held liable. Your work injury attorney in Azle TX will determine who was liable for your accident under the actual control principle.

Most construction companies in Texas carry workers’ compensation to reimburse injured employees for some of their losses and protect the employer from lawsuits. Employees can file a claim for workers’ comp regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, the compensation usually does not cover all expenses, particularly if injuries are severe.

Employees covered by workers’ compensation may not file a construction site negligence lawsuit against their employer, even if the employer’s negligence contributed to the accident. However, a third party, such as a subcontractor, can be held liable through a personal injury lawsuit filed in addition to a workers' compensation claim. A lawsuit enables the accident victim to seek damages for additional lost wages and intangible losses, such as pain and suffering.

A third-party lawsuit requires your subcontractor negligence lawyer to prove that the subcontractor’s negligence led to your injuries. Negligence involves:

• A duty of care by the subcontractor
• A breach of that duty
• Injuries suffered directly from the breach
• Losses incurred directly from the injuries

A construction accident can cause devastating injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Let the lawyers at Carabin Shaw handle your case so you can focus on your recovery. We offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, so you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Check our reviews to see our track record with accident victims like you, and then call us toll-free at 800-862-1260.

For more information:

• OSHA
• TDI
• Cornell Law