Galveston Construction Accident Lawyer

Representing Injured Construction Workers Across Galveston Island and the Mainland

If you were hurt on a job site in Galveston County, Daspit Law Firm can help you understand your options and pursue compensation from the companies responsible. We represent laborers, ironworkers, roofers, electricians, equipment operators and other trades, along with families who lost a loved one in a construction accident.

We offer free consultations 24/7 and work on a contingency fee, so there is no fee unless we win. Call (281) 748-2044. We can meet you at home or at the hospital, and our team speaks English and Spanish.

Construction Hazards in Galveston County

Construction never really stops on the Upper Texas Coast. Crews build and repair hotels and condos near Seawall Boulevard, raise and rebuild homes after major storms, and work on new neighborhoods in League City, Dickinson and Friendswood. Road and bridge projects along I-45 and the Galveston Causeway add highway traffic to the list of dangers.

Salt air, high winds, summer heat and tight schedules all raise the risk. When contractors cut corners on fall protection, scaffolding or equipment checks, workers pay the price.

The Most Common Construction Accidents

OSHA calls the leading causes of construction deaths the Fatal Four: falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in or between hazards, and electrocutions. On local sites we also see:

•      Falls from roofs, ladders and raised home platforms

•      Scaffolding collapses and missing guardrails

•      Crane, boom and rigging failures that drop loads

•      Trench and excavation cave-ins

•      Contact with overhead power lines

•      Workers struck by vehicles in highway work zones

•      Nail gun, saw and power tool injuries

•      Heat stroke and heat exhaustion

OSHA's fall protection requirements apply to most construction work at heights of six feet or more. Our post on the scaffolding collapse at the Port Arthur LNG construction site shows how a single scaffold failure can injure several workers at once.

Who Can Be Liable for a Construction Site Injury

Construction sites usually involve a property owner, a general contractor and several subcontractors. That structure often creates more than one path to compensation. Potentially responsible parties include:

•      General contractors that control site safety and scheduling

•      Subcontractors whose crews created the hazard

•      Property owners and developers who controlled the work

•      Equipment rental companies and manufacturers of defective tools, lifts or scaffolds

•      Engineers and architects whose plans created unsafe conditions

•      Drivers and trucking companies in work zone crashes

How Texas Law Applies to Construction Injuries

Workers' Compensation on Construction Sites

Texas does not require most private employers to carry workers' comp, and many construction companies choose not to. If your employer does have coverage, you may receive medical and income benefits but usually cannot sue that employer. A general contractor that provides coverage to subcontractor workers under a written agreement may also be treated as your employer under Labor Code §406.123. Read more about Galveston workers' compensation claims.

When Your Employer Has No Coverage

If your employer is a non-subscriber, you can file a negligence lawsuit, and the company cannot argue that you were partly to blame or assumed the risk. Our page on non-subscriber work injury claims explains this option.

Third-Party Claims, Property Owners and Deadlines

You can often sue a general contractor, subcontractor or manufacturer that is not your employer. Claims against property owners for contractor injuries are limited by Chapter 95 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, which generally requires proof that the owner controlled the work and knew of the danger. Most Texas injury lawsuits must be filed within two years, and damages are reduced by your share of fault and barred above 50%.

Compensation for Injured Construction Workers

•      Medical expenses, surgeries, rehabilitation and future care

•      Lost wages and loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to the trade

•      Pain, mental anguish and physical impairment

•      Disfigurement from burns or crush injuries

•      Exemplary damages in cases of gross negligence

When a worker dies, the spouse, children and parents may file a wrongful death claim in Galveston to recover lost support, companionship and other losses.

What To Do After a Construction Accident

•      Get medical care and tell the doctor how the injury happened.

•      Report the accident to your foreman and employer in writing.

•      Find out the name of the general contractor and every company on site that day.

•      Take photos of the area, the equipment and any missing guardrails or tie-offs.

•      Keep your pay records and do not sign a release before speaking with a lawyer.

How Our Construction Accident Lawyers Help

Founding attorney John Daspit worked in insurance defense before representing injured people, so he understands how contractors' insurers value claims. We identify every company on the job, obtain site safety plans and OSHA records, and work with construction safety experts.

Older buildings on the island can also expose renovation crews to asbestos. If you later develop lung disease, our asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers can help. Construction cases often overlap with our broader industrial accident practice.

Contact a Galveston Construction Accident Lawyer

Job sites change fast, and evidence can disappear in days. Call Daspit Law Firm at (281) 748-2044 or book a free consultation online. You pay nothing unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue the general contractor if I work for a subcontractor?

Often, yes. A general contractor that is not your employer can usually be sued for negligence, such as failing to enforce fall protection. The exception is when the general contractor provided workers' comp coverage to you under a written agreement, which can make it your statutory employer under Texas law. A lawyer can review the contracts to find out.

What if my construction employer does not have workers' comp?

Then your employer is a non-subscriber, and you may file a personal injury lawsuit against it. Under Texas Labor Code §406.033, a non-subscriber cannot use defenses like contributory negligence or assumption of risk. You still need to show the employer was negligent, but your own mistakes generally cannot be used to reduce your recovery.

What are the most common construction accidents in Texas?

Falls are the leading cause of construction deaths, followed by struck-by incidents, caught-in or between accidents and electrocutions. OSHA calls these the Fatal Four. Scaffold collapses, trench cave-ins, crane failures and work zone crashes are also common on Galveston County job sites, along with heat illness during the summer months.

Can undocumented workers file a construction injury claim in Texas?

In general, yes. Texas workers' compensation and personal injury laws protect injured workers, and immigration status usually does not prevent you from seeking medical benefits or damages for your injuries. Our team speaks Spanish and keeps every consultation confidential. Contact us to discuss your situation privately.

How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit?

Most construction injury lawsuits in Texas must be filed within two years of the accident. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the death. For workers' comp, you must notify your employer within 30 days and file a claim within one year. Speaking with a lawyer early helps protect evidence and deadlines.