Construction sites are notoriously hazardous in Texas and throughout the United States. While regulations and safety guidelines exist to prevent accidents, dangers still exist. Injuries sustained in construction site accidents are often catastrophic, leaving victims with debilitating injuries and overwhelming medical bills. If you find yourself in this situation, you are likely entitled to compensation from the responsible party. Do not wait to consult with a construction site accident lawyer.
The award-winning Austin injury attorneys at Shamieh Law have extensive experience helping injury victims exercise their rights after construction accidents. We have the resources and skills needed to help you navigate the intricacies of your lawsuit and fight for the compensation you deserve. You can schedule your free consultation with one of our construction accident attorneys today by calling our Austin office at 512-888-3333 or by submitting a form online.
The Dangers of Construction Sites in Austin
Texas has long been one of the fastest-growing states in the country. This is reflected in our construction industry. For example, anyone who drives between our state’s largest cities down I-35, I-45, or I-10 will likely notice some sort of construction. Austin residents, in particular, have probably noticed the construction boom the city has experienced in recent years. All this activity increases the risk of accidents.
Again, construction sites are some of the most hazardous work environments out there. Accidents that occur in these workplaces often result in catastrophic injuries, and many are fatal.
In fact, according to the National Safety Council, construction saw more deaths in 2021 than any other industry. In that year, there were approximately 1.9 construction accident incidents for every 100 full-time employees in Texas, a significant jump from the 1.5 incidents per 100 full-time employees in 2020.
Why Choose Shamieh Law to Handle Your Construction Accident Lawsuit?
Our legal team is made up of top-notch professionals with many years of experience. In and out of the courtroom, they have what it takes to handle your construction accident case. Over the years, we have been recognized by numerous professional publications and organizations, including:
Super Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Best Lawyers Under 40
- Texas Lawyer
At Shamieh Law, we believe in “Winning With Awareness.” What does this mean? It means being passionate about getting the best results for our clients in a way that treats everybody with respect, dignity, and compassion. In other words, it means handling our clients’ cases just as we would for someone in our family.
We focus on the individual needs of each client, listening carefully to their goals and concerns as we work toward resolving their cases. This approach helps us improve as lawyers and reinforces our commitment to our clients and community.
Construction Accident Settlements Recovered for Our Clients
At Shamieh Law, we have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our case results speak for themselves:
- $9.5 million for the family of a construction worker who tragically passed away after falling 30 feet due to a lack of training and safety equipment.
- $2 million for our client who needed double-knee replacement surgery after a construction accident.
- $1 million for property damage and injuries to multiple clients after a crane collapsed during a storm.
Providing Compassionate, Personalized Service to Every Client
The legal team at Shamieh Law strives to provide compassionate, personalized service to each and every one of our clients. Their testimonials reflect our dedication to providing high-quality representation in every case we handle. A few words from our satisfied clients:
- “Rene at Shamieh Law was helpful from day one. I didn’t have to follow up because he stayed on top of my case and proactively called and texted me with updates, sometimes even in the evenings! Definitely recommend he help you with yours.” – Fabian C.
- “Thank you, Shamieh Law, for representing me! My case manager, Kimberly Clark, did an amazing job! She kept me in the loop of things and always made me feel as if my case was her top priority. Thank you, Kimberly. I really appreciate your help with this. Shamieh Law, you are lucky to have her.” – Tiffany
- “Ramez and the staff at Shamieh Law were incredibly responsive, always available, and on top of everything to solve my case. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Completely trustworthy. Absolutely recommend.” – Carlos H.
We offer legal representation to victims of construction site accidents throughout the Greater Austin area, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, San Marcos, and Pflugerville. We also help clients throughout the Texas Hill Country.
Your Legal Options After Being Injured in a Construction Accident in Austin
Depending on the specifics of your case, there are several routes to securing legal compensation after a construction site accident.
1. Workers’ Compensation for Injured Construction Workers
Texas does not require most private employers to have workers’ compensation unless they contract with government entities. However, employers who do not provide this form of coverage expose themselves to lawsuits in the event of a workplace accident. Therefore, many opt in. When they do, workers’ compensation provides benefits to help injured workers recover physically and financially. For example, employees with qualifying injuries or illnesses may use this coverage to maintain income while unable to work.
2. Personal Injury Lawsuit
One caveat when it comes to workers’ compensation is that employees who choose this route are barred from suing their employer for additional compensation. However, for many employees, filing a personal injury claim may be a better option.
For example, this is typically true in cases involving products liability or when a third party is more at fault than the employer. Before filing a workers’ compensation claim, it is a good idea to consult with one of our attorneys in a free consultation to make sure you understand all your legal rights and options.
Further, since non-employees are not eligible for workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit becomes their only option. Anyone injured in a construction site accident at little to no fault of their own can pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault parties.
3. Wrongful Death Lawsuit
When someone is killed in an accident, their surviving family members can pursue a measure of justice and accountability through a wrongful death claim. If you have lost a loved one in a construction accident, our hearts go out to you. We understand how painful it is to lose someone we love, especially in a preventable accident. Shamieh Law is here to support you and your family in your hour of need.
We Handle All Types of Construction Accidents
At Shamieh Law, we have the skill and versatility needed to handle the unique aspects of your claim. Common types of construction accidents we see in our practice include:
- Trench collapses
- Building collapses
- Fires and explosions
- Electrocutions
- Machinery malfunctions
- Falls from heights
- Demolition accidents
- Vehicle-related accidents
- “Struck-by” accidents
- “Caught-between” accidents
It is important to remember that each accident is unique and should be handled on a case-by-case basis. At Shamieh Law, we guarantee individualized attention in every case. Our skilled Austin construction accident lawyers have experience handling a wide variety of construction accidents. When a member of our team is assigned to your case, you can rest assured that it is in capable hands.
Get Personalized Guidance for Your Construction Accident Lawsuit
Construction accidents can result in devastating injuries that lead to life-long impairment, not to mention steep medical bills. Understandably, if you are injured in a construction accident, handling a lawsuit is probably the last thing you want to do while you focus on your family and recovery.
However, we encourage you not to let your right to accountability and compensation fall through the cracks. There is no charge to have your case reviewed by a member of our team. Doing so can ultimately bring you and your family the resources you need to ease your recovery and get your life back on track after a serious accident.
We guarantee personalized, case-by-case attention to all our clients. In your free consultation, our team will explain your full legal rights and options so you can make informed decisions. We will then conduct a thorough, independent investigation of your construction accident to determine the cause and identify all sources of liability.
Once we marshal all available evidence, we will work to negotiate a fair settlement with the responsible party. If a fair out-of-court settlement cannot be achieved, we have the skills, experience, and resources needed to argue your case in Texas courts.
Throughout the life of your case, our award-winning team will keep you fully informed. Contact us today to learn more.
Construction Accidents FAQs
Our clients, including those involved in construction accidents, are often unsure what to do and where to turn after being injured. This section answers a few of the most common questions we receive. We hope it helps. We are a phone call away to address any remaining questions or concerns you may have.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death gives two years from the date of injury or death to file a lawsuit against the at-fault parties. Though there are limited exceptions to this rule, it is prudent to speak to an attorney well in advance before relying on them.
Missing the correct deadline nearly always results in your case being dismissed in court, which virtually eliminates your right to seek compensation. Consulting with an attorney is the best way to avoid this.
Construction sites in Austin are bustling with activity, and moving a large construction project from start to finish normally involves many players. This also means there are numerous potential sources of liability in a construction accident. These can include:
- Construction site owners
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Architects
- Engineers
- Designers
- Distributors
- Manufacturers.
The multi-layered nature of the construction industry tends to generate more complex litigation than, say, a car accident case. For one, tracking down and evaluating evidence takes time and skill. Further, because there are so many potential defendants, they are likely to push back hard against a lawsuit and strive to pass the blame among themselves.
From a plaintiff’s perspective, this is both good and bad news. The “bad” news is that it may take a little more leg work to resolve a case. The good news is that there are plenty of leads to pursue.
The compensation available after a construction accident varies widely from case to case.
Workers’ Compensation – As discussed above, there may be compensation available through a workers’ compensation claim. However, because filing this kind of claim eliminates your right to file a lawsuit, it is best to consult with a construction accident attorney first.
Lawsuit – Through a personal injury lawsuit, plaintiffs may recover economic and non-economic damages, collectively known as compensatory damages. Together, these include compensation for things like:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lowered earning potential
- Disability and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lowered quality of life
- Property damage repair and replacement costs
Wrongful Death – Of course, nothing can truly make up for the loss of someone we love. That said, in a wrongful death lawsuit, surviving family members can recover compensation for things like:
- Expenses associated with the death, such as medical and funeral expenses
- Loss of inheritance
- Mental anguish and loss of support, companionship, society, comfort, care, assistance, protection, and affection
The Supreme Court of Texas has handed down some helpful language applicable in these cases:
“[M]ental anguish shall be defined as the emotional pain, torment, and suffering that the named plaintiff would, in reasonable probability, experience from the death of the family member. Companionship and society shall be defined as the positive benefits flowing from the love, comfort, companionship, and society the named plaintiff would, in reasonable probability, experience if the decedent lived.”
The monetary value of a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit depends on many factors, the most important being the extent and severity of the victim’s injuries. In short, the more severe the injuries, the higher the value a jury is likely to put on the case.
Because it is impossible to reduce the value of human life to a number, the question becomes even more difficult in wrongful death cases. More revealing language from the Texas Supreme Court: “The definitions for mental anguish, and loss of society and companionship, present more difficulty [than loss of inheritance].”
Though it is not possible to guarantee an outcome, our experienced legal team has handled many construction accident cases and recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We can provide an estimate of the value of your claim after learning a bit more in a free consultation. For a look at case results we have secured, visit our case results page.
Absolutely. Because the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees due process and equal protection for citizens and non-citizens alike, your immigration status does not impact your right to sue for injuries sustained at little to no fault of your own.
Servicio en español: Ofrecemos excelente representación legal a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad independientemente de su origen nacional. Para servir mejor a nuestros clientes hispanohablantes,ofrecemos servicio en español. Llámenos hoy para marcar una consulta gratuita y confidencial.
Shamieh Law is Here to Help if You Were Injured in a Construction Accident in Austin
Construction sites are some of the most hazardous workplaces out there. If you were injured on a construction site in Austin, the knowledgeable and compassionate legal team at Shamieh Law is ready to handle your case from start to finish. Contact us today to learn more in a free, no-obligation consultation.
