Houston, Texas — Authorities reported a fatal construction site accident that occurred just after 1:30PM on Monday, October 5th, near Town and Country Boulevard and the I-10 Katy Freeway.
A building under construction in the Houston CityCentre shopping district partially collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 3 people, according to Assistant Fire Chief Ruy Lozano. One other person was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
240 construction workers were on site at the time. All workers have been accounted for.
The accident occurred due to collapse of newly constructed stairs between the 13th or 14th floor of the 15-story building. The building was too unstable for fire officials to enter.
The building is under construction as the new headquarters for Houston-based petroleum and natural gas corporation Marathon Oil. A company spokesperson offered a statement in the wake of the incident:
“We are saddened to learn that an accident occurred at the construction site for the future Houston headquarters of Marathon Oil. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those contractors who were affected and thank the first responders. We have offered our assistance to the building contractors as they respond to this accident.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration identified the leading causes of construction industry deaths and injuries as: falls, struck-by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between equipment or objects–otherwise known as the Fatal Four.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that eliminating these fatal four’ leading causes of construction worker injuries would save 582 workers’ lives in America every year.
Construction workers are especially subjected to occupational fatalities or injuries. Fortunately, our attorneys specialize in work-related wrongful death and personal injury cases and can help you get the justice that you or your family deserve. If someone you love was seriously hurt or fatally injured in a construction site accident, you may be unsure of where to turn. The Houston attorneys of Williams Hart & Boundas have experience assisting families of wrongful death victims. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for a 100% FREE case evaluation.
