Houston Construction Accident Lawyers

Billions of Dollars Recovered for Our Clients

Construction accidents often result in extensive physical and financial damage to the lives of victims and their families. When a construction worker has suffered catastrophic injuries or family members are left struggling because their loved one was killed on the job, they need an attorney who will be dedicated to protecting their rights and best interests.

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we are your legal advocates and can help you recover the compensation you deserve from the person or company responsible for your accident. With more than a century of combined legal experience and a track record that includes hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries, we can help you and your family fight for the level of compensation you deserve.

Compensation you may be able to recover includes:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Lost future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life​​​​​​

Billions of Dollars Obtained on Behalf of Our Clients

100% Free Consultation

Construction Sites Can Be Dangerous

There are plenty of hazards in construction zones, several of which can be exceedingly damaging, if not deadly. If you work in or around the construction industry, make sure you understand how these accidents are commonly caused and discover what you can do to avoid them.

Common types of construction accidents include:

  • Burns: Construction zones often deal with dangerous machines and ample wires and power sources, any of which could cause a serious burn if mishandled. Or, construction workers could be burned in electrical fires, chemical spills, and so on. Burn injuries vary in severity, but they can lead to loss of nerve control, disfigurement, loss of limb, and more.
  • Construction vehicle accidents: Any automobile accident can be harmful, but accidents involving construction vehicles are especially risky. Construction vehicles often have heavy machinery attachments, cranes, lifts, trailers, and more, which make them more cumbersome and difficult to operate. If the driver is not adequately trained, or if the vehicle is faulty or poorly maintained, the operation of the vehicle could lead to a serious accident. As with any vehicle accident, the resulting injuries could vary from whiplash to brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, or death.
Construction Site
  • Crane accidents: Crane accidents may not be the most common type of construction accident, but when they do occur, the resulting damage can be catastrophic. If the crane operator is poorly trained or ill-qualified, he or she may collide the crane with a building, vehicle, or scaffolding, resulting in serious injuries. Alternately, the crane may malfunction due to bad weather or poor maintenance, causing the worker within the crane to fall—which can be deadly.
  • Electrocution: Although construction sites should cut off power to the structure undergoing construction, electrical issues can occur if the power is left on. Electrocution incidents are more common than you might think, and they are especially likely in construction areas where workers frequently have to deal with wires, power sources, and heavy machinery. These types of injuries can result in major heart issues, burns, brain damage, or they may be fatal.
  • Elevator shaft incidents: Open elevator shafts can span hundreds of feet, and a fall from any such height could be extremely devastating. If elevator shafts are not properly warded off, or if the area is poorly secured, a worker or passerby might stumble in and fall. Although a fall from a great height would undoubtedly be fatal, lesser falls might still result in broken bones, brain injuries, spinal injuries, lacerations, contusions, and more.
  • Exposure to dangerous chemicals: Construction crews use a variety of paints, cleaners, primers, adhesives, and stains in order to perform their job properly, but those chemicals can be exceedingly dangerous if mishandled. Even if the materials are properly handled, there are some ingredients that could be extremely harmful if a worker endures exposure on a regular basis. If the construction site manager fails to provide workers with adequate safety gear or training on proper use, they could be liable for the resulting damage.
  • Exposure to lead, asbestos, and other dangerous materials: When a construction site takes place in an older building, especially one constructed with asbestos materials or lead paint, workers could be harmed. Exposure to these dangerous materials can lead to the development of major health problems, including cancer. Workers must be outfitted with proper safety equipment and should be trained in the safe disposal of these materials.
  • Falling objects: Many construction sites take place above ground. In residential construction, workers may need to go onto the roof, whereas industrial construction sites might use scaffolding to build structures with multiple levels. When workers are above the ground, they run the risk of dropping tools, materials, smaller machines, debris, and more. If they do drop something, it could harm fellow workers and bystanders alike.
  • Machinery issues: Operating construction machinery can be complex, which is why any worker authorized to use specialized machines should always be trained and certified beforehand. If a site manager fails to train employees, or if the hire underqualified workers, they could be liable for any machinery accidents that occur as a result. Or, if the machine is faulty, broken, or poorly maintained, it might harm nearby workers by pinning them beneath heavy structures, dropping building materials, or the machine might spark or catch fire.
  • Scaffolding incidents: Scaffolding can be extremely helpful when crews must work on higher building projects, but these structures aren’t always as secure as they should be. Poorly constructed scaffolding could collapse, shake, or tilt, causing any workers within the structure, or below it, serious harm.
  • Slip and fall incidents: Construction sites are often littered with various types of debris, which can lead to dangerous slip and fall accidents. If someone trips in a construction site, they might fall onto a nearby tool, dangerous debris, open chemicals, machinery, or other hazards. As with any slip and fall accident, the resulting injuries may vary, but can include broken bones, lacerations, loss of limb, spinal injuries, head injuries, and more.
  • Trench accidents: If a trench collapses, any workers inside could be harmed by the falling debris, or they might become trapped within the collapsed structure. As a result, trench accidents can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, and suffocation.

How to Protect Your Rights After a Construction Accident

Construction accident cases involve navigating a complicated web of relationships between property owners, contractors, subcontractors, and various insurance carriers, all of whom are looking to avoid liability for an employee death or injury. Victims and families can be tricked into believing these supposedly sympathetic companies will “take good care of them.” However, once the applicable statute of limitations expires, the company will most likely withdraw financial support and the victim will be left with far less than they would have received had they chosen to pursue legal action.

Because there is a complex web of individuals and companies trying to dodge responsibility for your injuries and the compensation you’re rightfully entitled to, you’ll need a strong legal advocate on your side who has comprehensive legal knowledge of the construction industry and construction operations.

Seek Damages Through a Third Party Claim

Please note that, while you do have the option to seek workers’ compensation from your employer for serious workplace injuries, you may also be entitled to further damages through a third party claim against another company whose negligence or defective products contributed to your injury or loss.

The following are examples of scenarios where third-party claims may apply:

  • Elevator inspection and maintenance companies: If the company fails to properly inspect an elevator and the construction worker injures him- or herself when the elevator drops 100 feet due to worn gears, a third party claim may apply.
  • Equipment rental companies: If a valve on a rented, portable generator explodes and an electrician suffers facial fractures, s/he may be able to sue the third party.
  • Scaffolding company or property owner: A welder fractures his or her hip from falling from a scaffold at a municipally-owned job site.
  • Other construction workers: If an electrician breaks their kneecap while tripping over a toolbox improperly placed in a walking path, the injured person may be able to sue the other worker.
  • Equipment manufacturers: You might be able to file a claim if you were involved in a construction accident caused by defective equipment.

Put 100+ Years of Combined Experience on Your Side

Our Houston construction accident lawyers at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs have been working tirelessly on behalf of clients since 1992. If you or your family member was involved in a serious workplace accident, it’s time to contact our firm. We can help you explore your options and determine the best course of action during a free and confidential consultation.

Call Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs today or schedule a free case consultation by completing our form.

OUR LAWYERS.

YOUR CHAMPIONS.

  • Tommy Fibich, a Houston Personal Injury lawyer

    Tommy Fibich

    Founding Partner

    Tommy Fibich is a widely respected Texas Trial Attorney who has dedicated 45 years to a life of law and advocacy.
  • Attorney Russell Briggs

    Russell Scott Briggs

    Partner

    Russ Briggs is a native of Beaumont, Texas, the son of two teachers. He is happily married to Rebekah Briggs and they have two adult daughters
  • Attorney Erin Copeland

    Erin Copeland

    Partner

    Erin K. Copeland is a partner with the law firm of Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs in Houston, Texas.
  • Attorney Greg Fibich

    Greg Fibich

    Attorney

    A native Houstonian, Greg started his legal career at a highly respected, boutique defense firm.
  • Attorney Jay Henderson

    Jay Henderson

    Attorney

    Jay Henderson was born and raised in the East Texas town of Palestine. Jay graduated from Palestine High School in 1976.
  • Sara J Fendia, a Houston Personal Injury lawyer

    Sara J. Fendia

    Of Counsel

    Attorney Sara J. Fendia is an experienced trial lawyer who has spent her more than 25 years in the legal field
  • Kelly Bogusevic, a Houston Personal Injury lawyer

    Kelley Bogusevic

    Attorney

    Kelley has spent her entire career representing individuals injured by the acts of others. She has the compassion and drive to get great results for her clients.
  • In memoriam Badge

    W. Michael Leebron, II

    1945-2013

    Mike Leebron was one of the state’s great trial lawyers until his death on July 6, 2013.
  • Anthony Foster, a Houston Personal Injury lawyer

    Anthony Foster

    Attorney

    Attorney Anthony Foster of Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs works on personal injury, products liability, business litigation, and Essure cases to help get clients maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.

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