You went to work on a Houston construction site and came home with an injury that may change the rest of your life. Now you are dealing with medical bills, lost paychecks, and the questions that matter most: Will you be able to work in construction again? Who is going to pay for this?
If someone other than your direct employer caused or contributed to your accident, a Houston construction accident lawyer at Suits & Boots Accident Injury Lawyers can file a third-party claim that goes far beyond what workers' comp alone would ever provide.
Construction sites involve general contractors, subcontractors, equipment companies, and property owners, and any one of them may owe you compensation. Contact us online or call (832) 453-3775 to claim your free investigation.
Can I Sue After a Construction Accident in Texas?
Yes, if a third party's negligence contributed to your injury. Texas law allows injured construction workers to file personal injury lawsuits against any party other than their direct employer whose negligence caused or contributed to the accident. These third-party claims offer significantly more compensation than workers' comp alone.
Workers' compensation, if your employer carries it, covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages. But it does not pay for pain and suffering, full lost earning capacity, or punitive damages. A third-party lawsuit does.
And if your employer is a non-subscriber, meaning they opted out of workers' comp entirely, you may be able to sue them directly under Texas Labor Code § 406.033.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Houston Construction Accident?
Construction sites have multiple companies working in close proximity, and each one has a duty to maintain a safe environment. When they fail, they may be liable for your injuries.
| Potentially Liable Party | How They May Be Responsible |
|---|---|
| General contractor | Failed to enforce safety rules, allowed hazardous conditions, or did not coordinate subcontractor work safely |
| Subcontractor | Created a dangerous condition through careless work, such as improper scaffolding setup or unsecured materials |
| Property owner | Knew about a hazard on the site and failed to fix it or warn workers |
| Equipment manufacturer | Produced a defective crane, scaffold, power tool, or safety device that malfunctioned and caused injury |
| Engineering or design firm | Created faulty plans or structural designs that led to a collapse or failure |
We investigate every party on the job site to identify who contributed to your accident. That is how the Max Money Method works in construction cases: we do not stop at the most obvious defendant.
What Are the Most Dangerous Construction Accidents in Houston?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified four types of hazards, known as the "Fatal Four," that cause the majority of construction worker deaths nationwide. Houston construction workers face all four regularly.
Falls From Heights
Falls are the leading killer on construction sites. Whether from scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, or elevated platforms, a fall from height on a Houston construction site can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and broken bones. These accidents often result from missing guardrails, unsecured scaffolding, or lack of fall protection equipment.
Struck-By Accidents
Falling tools, swinging crane loads, and moving equipment strike workers every day on Houston job sites. A Houston crane accident or other incident involving heavy equipment or vehicles can cause catastrophic injuries in an instant.
Electrocution
Contact with overhead power lines, exposed wiring, or improperly grounded equipment causes severe burns and cardiac arrest. A Houston electrocution accident on a construction site is often fatal or permanently disabling.
Caught-In or Caught-Between Accidents
Trench collapses in Houston, unguarded machinery, and collapsing structures trap workers between objects or materials. These accidents cause crush injuries, amputations, and suffocation.
Beyond the Fatal Four, Houston's construction industry presents additional hazards tied to refinery construction along the Ship Channel, industrial projects near the Port of Houston, and high-rise development throughout downtown and the Galleria area. The Houston construction injury attorneys at Suits & Boots handle cases across all of these environments.
How Does a Third-Party Construction Accident Claim Work in Texas?
A third-party claim is a personal injury lawsuit filed against someone other than your direct employer. Even if you are receiving workers' comp benefits, Texas law allows you to pursue a third-party claim at the same time if another party's negligence contributed to your injury.
Here is how the process works in plain terms:
- We investigate the accident site, safety records, and every party involved to identify who was negligent.
- Our team preserves evidence, including photos, equipment records, OSHA inspection reports, and witness statements.
- We file a claim against the liable third parties, which may include general contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners.
- We negotiate with the defendants' insurers and, if they refuse fair value, take your case to trial in Harris County District Courts.
Third-party claims allow you to recover full damages, including pain and suffering, that workers' comp does not cover. Call (832) 453-3775 or use our online portal to claim your free investigation today.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Houston Construction Accident?
The compensation available through a third-party claim is broader than workers' comp in every category.
| Category | Types of Damages |
|---|---|
| Economic damages | Medical expenses from emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation at facilities like Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist, or Ben Taub. Lost wages, both past and future. Reduced earning capacity if injuries limit your ability to return to construction work. |
| Non-economic damages | Physical pain and suffering. Emotional distress and mental anguish. Loss of enjoyment of life. Loss of companionship for your spouse. |
| Punitive damages | Available when the liable party's conduct was especially reckless, such as knowingly ignoring OSHA safety requirements. |
| Wrongful death damages | When a construction accident takes the life of someone your family loved and depended on, surviving spouses, children, and parents may pursue compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the deep personal loss your family is living with. |
What Should I Do After a Construction Accident in Houston?
If you have already received medical attention or you are being treated, you’ve already taken the first step to protect yourself and the value of your claim. Here are some additional steps that will position you for a better outcome.
- Hire a Houston construction accident lawyer as soon as possible, because evidence on construction sites disappears fast as work continues and conditions change.
- Follow all treatment plans and keep every medical appointment your doctors schedule.
- Document your recovery through a daily journal or video log, capturing pain levels, physical limitations, and how injuries affect your routine.
- Save everything connected to the accident, including medical records, incident reports, and photos of the scene and your injuries.
- Do not sign any documents, waivers, or settlement offers from your employer or any other party without having a lawyer review them first.
Getting a lawyer involved early is the most important step. Construction sites change daily, and the evidence your case needs, from equipment positions to safety logs, is always at risk of vanishing.
Ask Suits & Boots About Your Houston Construction Accident Claim
Q: Can I file a third-party claim even if I am getting workers' comp benefits?
A: Yes. Workers' comp and a third-party lawsuit are separate legal paths. Texas law allows you to receive workers' comp benefits from your employer while simultaneously suing a negligent third party, like a general contractor or equipment manufacturer, for full damages.
Your workers' comp carrier may assert a lien against part of your third-party recovery, but the net result is almost always significantly more than workers' comp alone.
Q: What if my employer does not carry workers' comp insurance?
A: If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may be able to sue them directly for your injuries. Texas Labor Code § 406.033 strips non-subscriber employers of key legal defenses, including contributory negligence and assumption of risk. That removes several defenses employers commonly rely on.
Q: What if an OSHA violation caused my construction accident?
A: An OSHA violation does not automatically prove negligence, but it is powerful evidence that supports your claim. If the party responsible for the violation, whether it is the general contractor, a subcontractor, or the property owner, created a hazard that caused your injury, we use that violation as a key piece of the case.
Why Choose Suits & Boots for Your Houston Construction Accident Case?
We built this firm because too many injured workers accept workers' comp benefits without knowing they may have a third-party claim worth far more. Construction accident cases require detailed investigation, and the 30-Day Investigation we offer at no cost and no obligation gives us time to identify every liable party before you commit to anything.
Our no-cost 30-Day Investigation includes reviewing safety records, preserving site evidence, and investigating every contractor and company involved. We also offer options for immediate financial assistance if lost paychecks and medical bills are creating pressure while your case develops.
From job sites in downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center to refinery construction along the Ship Channel and residential projects in Katy and Sugar Land, we know where construction accidents happen in this city. Our cases move through Harris County District Courts, and we know how to build third-party liability claims that hold up in this jurisdiction.
FAQs for Houston Construction Accident Lawyer
How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in Texas?
The statute of limitations (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003(a)) for a personal injury claim in Texas is two years from the date of injury. Missing that deadline may eliminate your right to file. Construction site evidence also deteriorates quickly, so starting early gives your case the strongest foundation.
How much does it cost to hire a Houston construction accident lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We handle construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
What if multiple parties caused my construction accident?
Texas allows you to file claims against every party whose negligence contributed to your injury. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, the court assigns each defendant a percentage of fault. We identify and pursue every liable party so the full picture of responsibility is on the table.
Can I sue if I was an independent contractor, not an employee?
Yes. Independent contractors are not covered by workers' comp and may file personal injury lawsuits against any negligent party on the job site, including the general contractor who hired them. Your status as an independent contractor may actually open more legal options, not fewer.
What if the construction company is pressuring me to settle quickly?
Do not sign anything without having a lawyer review it first. Quick settlement offers from construction companies are designed to close your claim before the full scope of your injuries and damages is known. We review every offer and advise you on whether it reflects the actual value of your case.
What if I am undocumented? Can I still file a construction accident claim?
Yes. Texas law protects injured workers regardless of immigration status. Your right to file a personal injury claim does not depend on citizenship or work authorization.
What types of injuries do you handle in Houston construction accident cases?
We handle the full range of construction injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, amputations, burns, crush injuries, and internal organ damage. If a construction accident took the life of someone in your family, we handle wrongful death claims with the gravity and compassion your family deserves.
Houston Construction Workers Injured on the Job Deserve More Than Workers' Comp
A construction accident can change your ability to work, provide for your family, and live without pain. If a third party's negligence caused your injury, you have legal options that go well beyond the limited benefits workers' comp provides.
We offer a no-cost, no-obligation 30-Day Investigation to start building your case today. Contact us online or call (832) 453-3775 to claim your free investigation, and let the work of the Boots and the skill of the Suits fight for the recovery you and your family need.