Construction Accident Lawyer in Pasadena

Construction accidents in Pasadena and the greater Houston area can leave workers with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about how to move forward. Falls, equipment incidents, electrocutions, and structural failures all occur on active job sites and can have lasting consequences. Falls from elevation remain a leading cause of construction worker fatalities nationwide, underscoring how dangerous these environments can be when safety systems fail. If you were hurt in a construction accident connected to Pasadena, Texas, Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP can help you pursue compensation through workers’ compensation, third‑party claims, or both.

Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Construction Accident Claim

Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP handles construction‑injury matters across Texas, including cases arising from residential, commercial, roadway, and industrial projects. The firm works with injured workers to identify all parties that may have contributed to an unsafe condition, such as general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers. The attorneys have obtained compensation in cases involving falls from height, equipment failures, electrical incidents, and other serious job‑site injuries. View the firm’s case results and client testimonials to learn more about recoveries in serious construction injury matters.

The firm’s lawyers maintain professional credentials in personal‑injury practice and are active in local and regional bar organizations. Alma Reyes Tavares, one of the firm’s attorneys, has ties to the Pasadena legal community and experience with matters involving construction and industrial work. Cases are handled on a contingency‑fee basis, which means you do not pay attorney fees upfront, and the firm receives a fee only if it recovers compensation for you. Learn more about the firm’s attorneys and their experience.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Pasadena

Construction sites contain multiple overlapping hazards. Many serious incidents stem from a combination of unsafe conditions and lapses in oversight, including:

• Falls from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, and other elevated work surfaces are often related to inadequate fall protection, missing guardrails, or improper scaffold assembly.
• Equipment‑related events involving cranes, forklifts, aerial lifts, or power tools where mechanical issues, inadequate maintenance, or operator error play a role.
• Electrical‑contact injuries when workers encounter energized lines, improperly grounded equipment, or damaged cords and panels.
• Struck‑by incidents in which tools, materials, or parts fall from height, or construction vehicles strike workers.
• Caught‑in or caught‑between situations involving moving machinery, pinning between equipment and structures, or entrapment in tight spaces.
• Trench and excavation collapses when soil is not properly sloped, shored, or shielded, burying workers in seconds.

OSHA and NIOSH data show that falls from elevation remain the leading cause of death in construction and that many of these events involve failures in planning, equipment, or training. Documenting exactly how an incident occurred helps determine which entities may be responsible. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes specific standards for construction safety under 29 CFR 1926. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides research and guidance on construction hazard prevention.

Types of Injuries from Construction Accidents

Construction accidents can cause a broad spectrum of injuries, many of which have long‑term effects:

• Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma that may impair cognition, mood, and balance.
• Spinal cord injuries and other spine trauma can result in chronic pain or paralysis.
• Complex fractures and orthopedic injuries that may require surgery, hardware placement, and extended rehabilitation.
• Amputations and severe limb injuries are often associated with machinery or crush events.
• Burns from fires, explosions, or contact with hot surfaces or chemicals, sometimes requiring grafts and multiple procedures.
• Neck and back injuries, including disc damage, that limit lifting, bending, or prolonged standing.
• Internal injuries and organ damage that may not be immediately obvious but can threaten life or long‑term health.

These injuries often carry substantial medical costs and can reduce or eliminate the ability to perform prior job duties, requiring careful assessment of both current and future losses. Catastrophic injury cases involving construction accidents require detailed documentation of medical needs and vocational impact.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Construction Accident

Responsibility for a construction‑site injury can extend beyond the injured worker’s direct employer:

• General contractors usually oversee overall site safety and may be responsible for establishing and enforcing safety procedures.
• Subcontractors have duties to train their employees, use proper methods, and comply with safety rules while performing specialized tasks.
• Property owners can bear responsibility if they control aspects of the work or fail to correct known hazards on the premises.
• Equipment and safety‑gear manufacturers may be liable if a product defect, inadequate warning, or design issue contributes to an injury.
• Other third parties—such as drivers, neighboring businesses, or separate trades on the job site—may also share fault depending on the circumstances.

Because multiple entities often interact on the same site, a thorough investigation is essential to identifying all potential defendants and insurance policies that may apply. Third‑party claims can expand available recovery beyond workers’ compensation alone. The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) establishes industry standards for workplace safety management and hazard control.

Workers’ Compensation and Third‑Party Claims

In Texas, an injured construction worker’s rights depend in part on whether the employer carries workers’ compensation coverage:

• Workers’ compensation: If an employer subscribes to the state workers’ comp system, injured employees may receive medical care and partial wage benefits without needing to prove employer fault. However, workers’ comp generally does not cover non‑economic damages such as pain and suffering.
• Third‑party claims: If another company or individual besides your employer contributed to the hazard—for example, a negligent subcontractor, a careless driver, or a product manufacturer—you may be able to bring a separate personal‑injury claim against that third party. These claims can seek broader damages, including full wage loss and non‑economic harm.
• Non‑subscriber claims: When an employer does not carry workers’ compensation, Texas law often allows injured employees to sue that employer for negligence, and some common defenses may be limited.

Most Texas personal‑injury lawsuits, including third‑party construction claims, must be filed within two years of the date the cause of action accrues, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003. Because exceptions and additional deadlines can apply in certain situations, speaking with an attorney promptly is important.

Damages You May Recover

Depending on the type of claim and the facts of your case, available damages may include:

• Medical expenses for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, and follow‑up treatment.
• Future medical needs, such as additional procedures, therapy, or long‑term care.
• Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery.
• Loss of earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to work in the future.
• Non‑economic damages in third‑party suits include pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• In wrongful‑death cases, damages are awarded for funeral expenses and loss of financial support and companionship for surviving family members.

The overall value of a claim depends on injury severity, documented medical needs, the impact on your ability to work, and how clearly negligence can be established against one or more defendants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a construction accident case in Texas?

Most personal‑injury claims in Texas, including construction‑site negligence cases, must be filed within two years of the date the claim accrues. Workers’ compensation and claims involving government entities may have additional or shorter deadlines, so it is best to discuss your particular situation with a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.

What if I was partially at fault?

Texas generally applies a modified comparative‑fault rule. If you are found to be 50 percent or less responsible for the accident, you may still recover damages, but any award can be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you may be barred from recovering on a negligence claim. Detailed investigation and expert analysis can be important in determining fault percentages.

Do I need a lawyer for my construction accident case?

Construction cases often involve OSHA regulations, multiple contractors, complex medical issues, and overlapping insurance policies. Insurance companies and defense counsel are accustomed to these complexities and may dispute causation, damages, or fault. Having an attorney experienced with workplace injury and construction claims can help you identify all potential defendants, value your case accurately, and negotiate or litigate effectively on your behalf.

Get Your Free Consultation Today

If you suffered a construction‑related injury connected to Pasadena or the surrounding Houston area, Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP can evaluate your situation and explain your legal options. The firm offers free consultations and handles construction‑accident cases on a contingency‑fee basis, so you do not owe attorney fees unless compensation is obtained for you. To discuss your claim and next steps, call (713) 230-2200.