Construction Accident Law in Texas

A paramedic treats an injured construction worker lying on rubble, as a concerned coworker looks on.

Have you been injured on a construction site in Texas? If so, the best way to protect your right to seek compensation is to know about the laws governing construction safety and workers’ rights.

Texas Laws Governing Construction Safety

Various Texas construction accident laws are in place to protect workers from getting injured and to protect injured workers’ rights to seek compensation. Some of the most important laws surrounding construction accidents include:

  • OSHA Standard Compliance – All construction companies operating in Texas must comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards. These standards cover a broad range of safety guidelines, including properly building and using scaffolding and the personal protective equipment (PPE) workers should wear. Employers who fail to uphold these standards could be liable for worker injuries and may face criminal prosecution.
  • Texas Workers’ Compensation Act – While not mandatory for most private employers in Texas, workers’ compensation insurance protects employers and employees. It protects employers from being sued by their employees and protects employees’ right to have their medical expenses paid and to receive partial lost wages after a work injury by filing a workers’ compensation claim.
  • Personal Injury Statute of Limitations – If your injury isn’t covered by workers’ compensation or if your employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, an important law to be aware of is Texas’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. Injured workers who want to file a lawsuit against their employer or a third party who caused their injury must do so within two years of the accident.

The Role of OSHA in Construction Accident Cases

OSHA has three primary roles in construction accident cases:

  • Creating Regulations – OSHA’s first role is to create and maintain regulations that set safety standards. They constantly update their regulations for construction and other industries to keep workers safe.
  • Investigating Incidents – The administration’s second role is to investigate workplace injury incidents, including construction accident injuries. If a construction worker suffers an injury or dies on the job, OSHA will send someone to investigate what happened.
  • Issuing Fines – The third role is to issue fines to companies that violate OSHA’s regulations. Unfortunately, these fines are just a drop in the bucket for many large companies.

Choosing a Texas Construction Accident Lawyer

When choosing a Texas construction accident lawyer, you should focus on the following criteria:

  • Experience – Your lawyer should have years of experience handling construction accidents and related cases. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we have decades of experience handling cases like yours.
  • Board Certification – You need a lawyer who is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Our firm has three board-certified attorneys, including Russell Briggs, who is certified in personal injury trial law.
  • Reviews and Testimonials – Your lawyer should not be afraid to showcase their client reviews, testimonials, and case results. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we believe our testimonials and case results speak for themselves.
  • Communication – Your lawyer must be able to answer your questions and make time to speak with you.
  • Fee Structure – Finally, you should ask any lawyer you interview about their fee structure. Most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they take a percentage of your settlement or award and take no money upfront. However, some offer flat hourly rates. It’s important to understand the fee structure in order to avoid any surprises later.

Call Our Texas Construction Accident Attorneys to Learn More

If you need a construction accident lawyer in Texas, contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs. As a top-rated personal injury law firm in the Lone Star State, we’ve recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients since 1992.

Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation consultation about what to do following a construction site accident. We’ll review your case, explain your options for seeking compensation, and answer any questions you have about the legal process.