Demolition work is loud, chaotic, and inherently dangerous. When the right safety systems are in place, demolition should not end in disaster. However, preventable third-party failures continue to cause serious accidents on construction sites. If you were injured by a negligent demolition, a Houston demolition accident lawyer can help you hold the right parties accountable.
The construction accident attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas represent individuals harmed in high-risk construction environments. Our firm focuses on complex personal injury claims where third-party contractors, vendors, or equipment providers made choices that put workers or bystanders in harm’s way.
What Causes Demolition Accidents on Worksites?
The city’s changing skyline often requires old structures to come down before new ones go up. In the rush to meet deadlines, demolition crews may bring in subcontractors or outside vendors who do not fully understand the scope of the job or lack the proper training or equipment.
The common demolition site errors our Houston attorneys see include:
- Debris barriers installed incorrectly by outside contractors
- Uninspected or unstable structures demolished prematurely
- Site maps or engineering plans missing critical structural details
- Heavy machinery rented from providers with outdated safety checks
Texas Labor Code § 411.103 requires all parties at a construction site to uphold safety standards. When a vendor, subcontractor, or property owner cuts corners, their negligence can have devastating consequences.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Demolition Injury?
Responsibility in demolition accidents often extends beyond the direct employer. If a third party played a role in creating or ignoring a known hazard, they may be financially liable under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, which gives most injured individuals two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Third-party liability could include:
- An engineering firm overlooked signs of structural weakness
- A property owner ignored the necessary pre-demolition surveys
- A crane operator hired by a subcontractor failed to follow demolition sequencing
Unlike general construction, demolition often involves coordinated action between teams that may not have worked together before. This makes communication and clear safety assignments critical—two areas where third-party lapses are most likely to occur. Your Houston lawyer must understand how these relationships function to properly identify who had control over the risk factors leading to the demolition accident. Our attorneys can review contracts, jobsite records, and communications between parties to determine where fault lies for your injuries.
How Demolition Cases Differ From Other Construction Claims
Demolition sites present a different set of challenges from general construction areas. The city’s diverse building stock and climate-related wear can contribute to demolition accidents. In many cases, the structures are already compromised or deteriorating and require extra care.
Older structures may hide mold, asbestos, or damaged and weakened supports caused by flooding or humidity. If third-party engineers or contractors fail to test for these risks before demolition begins, or if a property owner was aware and did not disclose, they may bear responsibility for any resulting harm.
Understanding how Houston’s environment and construction history affect demolition safety allows our injury attorneys to build a case that is factually accurate and grounded in the real-life conditions workers face every day.
Contact a Demolition Accident Attorney in Houston Today
If you were injured on a demolition site, you may be entitled to more than just workers’ compensation. Third-party liability may offer a path toward full and fair financial recovery, especially when others failed to maintain a safe worksite.
At Williams Hart & Boundas, we investigate these incidents thoroughly, hold negligent outside parties accountable, and fight for justice on behalf of our clients. Speak with a Houston demolition accident lawyer from our team today to understand your options and take the next steps toward recovery.