The Short Answer…
Construction injuries are common and often severe. They’re frequently caused by falls, struck-by accidents, electrocutions, and caught-in or caught-between incidents. Together, they are known as the construction industry’s “Fatal Four.” These accidents regularly lead to broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord damage, burns, lacerations, and hearing loss, with falls from heights remaining the leading cause of construction fatalities. The risks are heightened by elevated work areas, heavy machinery, moving vehicles, and exposure to hazardous materials on active job sites.
Tradespeople and independent contractors are often not covered by workers’ compensation. When workers’ compensation doesn’t apply or a construction accident is caused by someone other than their employer, injured workers may be entitled to compensation through a third-party work injury claim. At Braker White, we represent injured construction workers in West Texas, holding negligent third parties accountable for preventable harm.
Key Takeaways
- Construction accidents are often severe, with falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/caught-between accidents causing many serious and fatal injuries on Texas job sites.
- Many construction injuries are caused by third parties, such as subcontractors, general contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, or drivers.
- Injured construction workers may be entitled to full compensation through a third-party work injury claim, including medical costs, lost income, decreased future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
- Braker White handles third-party work injury cases. Our experienced work injury lawyers are dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and helping injured workers secure fair compensation.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Construction Accident?
- What Are Common Causes of Construction Accidents?
- The “Fatal Four” Construction Injuries Explained
- What Are the Most Common Construction Injuries?
- What to Do If You Were Injured on a Construction Site
- How to Pursue Compensation Through a Third-Party Work Injury Claim
- How Braker White Helps Injured Construction Workers
- Injured in a Construction Accident? Talk to Braker White
What Is a Construction Accident?
A construction accident is any incident occurring on or near a construction site that causes injury or death. These accidents often involve unsafe work conditions, defective equipment, negligent subcontractors, or reckless drivers entering work zones.
Construction site accidents can happen on:
- Commercial job sites
- Road and highway construction zones
- Oilfield and industrial projects
- Residential construction sites
Because construction projects often involve multiple companies working at the same time, liability for a construction accident may fall on someone other than the injured worker’s employer. When unsafe conditions or negligent actions lead to a construction injury, the injured worker may have legal options to pursue compensation from the party responsible for causing the accident.
What Are Common Causes of Construction Accidents?
When safety measures break down or hazards are ignored, serious construction site accidents can occur. Below are the leading causes of construction accidents seen on Texas job sites.
Falls remain the leading cause of fatal construction accidents, accounting for roughly 40% of construction-related deaths according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Common fall hazards include:
- Scaffolding collapses or unstable platforms
- Unprotected roof edges or open sides
- Unsafe or defective ladders
- Missing or inadequate fall protection systems
Falls from heights often result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage.
Struck-by accidents happen when workers are hit by moving objects, equipment, or vehicles on active job sites. Workers may be struck by:
- Falling tools, debris, or building materials
- Swinging or shifting loads
- Cranes, forklifts, or other heavy machinery
- Vehicles entering or passing through construction areas
Struck-by accidents frequently cause head injuries, crush injuries, fractures, and permanent disabilities.
Electrocution hazards are present on nearly every construction site, particularly where temporary power systems are used. Common electrocution risks include:
- Overhead or underground power lines
- Exposed wiring or faulty electrical systems
- Defective tools or equipment
- Inadequate grounding or safety controls
Electrocution injuries may lead to severe burns, nerve damage, cardiac arrest, or death.
Caught-in or caught-between accidents occur when a worker becomes trapped, crushed, or pinned between objects, equipment, or collapsing structures. Examples include workers being:
- Crushed between heavy machinery and fixed objects
- Trapped in trench or excavation collapses
- Pinned under shifting materials or equipment
These accidents frequently result in amputations, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and fatalities.
Construction relies heavily on machinery and power tools, and when that equipment is defective, poorly maintained, or improperly operated, serious injuries can occur. Equipment-related construction accidents may involve:
- Crane or lift malfunctions
- Defective power tools
- Equipment lacking proper safety guards
- Inadequate maintenance or inspections
- Improper training or supervision
These accidents often cause crush injuries, lacerations, burns, and permanent impairments.
Construction workers face heightened risk from vehicles, especially on roadway and highway projects. Vehicle-related construction site accidents often involve:
- Speeding or inattentive drivers
- Poorly marked work zones
- Inadequate traffic control measures
These incidents can lead to severe injuries or fatalities, particularly when workers are struck by passing vehicles.
Fires and explosions on construction sites often occur when flammable materials, gas lines, or combustible dust are improperly handled. Common causes include:
- Gas leaks or damaged fuel lines
- Improper storage of flammable materials
- Electrical malfunctions or sparks
- Welding or cutting near combustible substances
Construction-related fires and explosions frequently result in severe burns, blast injuries, respiratory damage, and fatalities.
Ground collapses are among the most dangerous construction site hazards, particularly during excavation and trenching work. When soil is unstable or improperly supported, the ground can give way without warning. These accidents may involve:
- Trench or excavation cave-ins
- Collapsing foundations or retaining walls
- Unsecured soil or shifting ground conditions
- Lack of protective trench systems
These accidents often cause crush injuries, suffocation, spinal cord injuries, and death.
Construction workers are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals and toxic substances that can cause serious injuries, both immediately and over time. Common sources of chemical exposure include:
- Asbestos, silica dust, and lead
- Solvents, adhesives, and industrial cleaners
- Fumes from welding, cutting, or painting
- Mold and other airborne contaminants
Chemical exposure can lead to respiratory illness, neurological damage, skin burns, and long-term health conditions, including cancer.
Many construction injuries occur because another party failed to take reasonable steps to protect those on the job site. Understanding how these accidents happen is the first step in determining who may be legally responsible and what options injured construction workers may have for pursuing compensation.
The “Fatal Four” Construction Injuries Explained
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies 4 categories of accidents that account for the majority of deadly construction accidents nationwide. The OSHA-recognized Fatal Four include:
- Falls
- Struck-by incidents
- Electrocutions
- Caught-in or caught-between accidents
These incidents are especially dangerous because they often occur without warning and frequently result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. When these hazards are not properly addressed, the financial consequences for injured workers and their families can be overwhelming.
What Are the Most Common Construction Injuries?
When construction site accidents occur, the resulting injuries are often severe and can have long-lasting or permanent consequences. The most common construction injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures, often caused by falls, struck-by accidents, or equipment failures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) resulting from falls, falling objects, or vehicle impacts
- Spinal cord and back injuries, which may lead to chronic pain, mobility loss, or paralysis
- Severe burns, including chemical burns, electrical burns, and fire-related injuries
- Crush injuries and amputations, frequently linked to heavy machinery or caught-between incidents
- Sprains, strains, and torn ligaments, commonly caused by overexertion or sudden impact
- Hearing loss, often from prolonged exposure to loud construction equipment
- Respiratory illnesses caused by inhaling toxic substances, such as silica dust, asbestos, or chemical fumes
These construction work injuries may require surgery, extended medical treatment, and long-term care. In the most serious cases, injured construction workers may be left unable to return to their previous jobs or earn a living in the same way. When these injuries are caused by unsafe conditions or negligence on a job site, pursuing compensation from the responsible party can help recover the cost of those losses and protect your long-term financial stability.
What to Do If You Were Injured on a Construction Site
If you are injured on a construction site, the steps you take immediately afterward can affect both your physical recovery and your ability to pursue compensation.
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Report the incident to site supervisors
- Preserve evidence (photos, witness names, equipment)
- Avoid recorded statements with insurers
- Speak with a work injury lawyer. Early legal guidance can make a major difference in your recovery and claim value.
How to Pursue Compensation Through a Third-Party Work Injury Claim
In many cases, construction site accidents are caused by third parties, meaning someone other than the injured worker’s direct employer created or failed to fix a dangerous condition. Also, many tradespeople and independent contractors are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance because they are not classified as employees. Under these circumstances, Texas law may allow injured construction workers to pursue a third-party work injury claim for full compensation.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Construction Accident?
You may be able to pursue a third-party construction accident lawsuit if your injury was caused by:
- A negligent subcontractor who failed to follow safety protocols
- A general contractor responsible for site safety and coordination
- A property owner who allowed unsafe conditions to exist
- A defective product or equipment manufacturer
- A careless driver who caused a collision in or near a work zone
Construction sites typically involve multiple contractors and outside parties working at the same time. Identifying who controlled or created the hazardous condition is a key part of establishing liability and pursuing a successful claim.
What Compensation Is Available in a Third-Party Construction Injury Claim?
Unlike workers’ compensation, third-party claims allow injured construction workers to seek full financial recovery, not just limited insurance benefits. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity if the injury prevents a return to construction work
- Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional distress
- Disability and long-term care costs, such as mobility assistance or in-home care
Medical bills, time away from work, and permanent limitations can place enormous strain on injured workers and their families. A third-party work injury claim provides a way to hold the responsible party accountable and recover damages for the cost of your injury.
Important: Braker White does not handle workers’ compensation claims. We focus exclusively on third-party work injury cases, allowing us to pursue maximum compensation for injured construction workers harmed by the negligence of others.
How Braker White Helps Injured Construction Workers
Construction injury claims are rarely straightforward. Job sites often involve multiple contractors, complex safety responsibilities, and insurance companies working quickly to limit their exposure. At Braker White, we help injured construction workers pursue third-party work injury claims and recover compensation from the parties responsible for causing their injuries.
With more than 60 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys understand how construction accidents happen, how liability is established, and what it takes to build strong, evidence-based claims.
At Braker White, we:
- Conduct thorough investigations of construction site accidents, including reviewing safety records, contracts, and incident reports
- Identify all liable third parties, such as general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and drivers
- Work with safety professionals, engineers, and industry experts to establish how the accident occurred
- Handle aggressive insurance companies and protect clients from unfair tactics or low settlement offers
- Fight for maximum compensation, not quick payouts that fail to reflect the true cost of a construction injury
- Charge no upfront fees, meaning you pay nothing unless and until we recover compensation on your behalf
As a local law firm serving Odessa, Midland, and surrounding West Texas communities, we understand the types of construction projects common in the area. That local knowledge allows us to approach each case with practical insight to help injured construction workers secure the financial recovery they need.
Injured in a Construction Accident? Talk to Braker White
At Braker White, we’ve spent decades standing up for injured workers across Odessa, Midland, and West Texas. We take the time to listen to your story, explain your options, and build a strategy that puts your long-term well-being first.
We also believe injured workers should never have to worry about legal fees while trying to recover from a construction accident. There are no upfront costs, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. That allows you to focus on healing while we handle the legal fight.
If your construction injury was caused by someone other than your employer, Braker White is here to help. Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable work injury lawyer and learn how we can help protect your rights and pursue the financial recovery you may be entitled to.
