Construction Accident Statistics
12,300 construction workers were injured in Texas in 2018, according to reports compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reported that 107 workers lost their lives that year. That figure represents about 22% of all workplace fatalities in 2018. In 2021, there were 127 construction workers killed in accidents. Safety standards are in place to protect construction workers, but these numbers show that accidents are still continuing to occur in this field more than any other.
More than half of construction worker fatalities across the U.S. can be traced to one of the four following causes, dubbed the “Fatal Four” by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration:
- Falls, which accounted for 33.5% of fatalities in 2018.
- Struck by object accidents, which accounted for 11.1% of fatalities.
- Electrocutions, which accounted for 8.5% of fatalities.
- Caught-in/between accidents, which accounted for 5.5% of fatalities.
These statistics reveal one thing: construction workers face significant dangers each day on the job. Whether you've been in a Dallas scaffolding accident or are suffering after being struck by a heavy object, help is available. Employers are responsible for taking care of their employees, and when they don't, they are liable for damages.
Common Causes of Dallas Construction Accidents
Construction sites can be dangerous places, but this does not mean that accidents "just happen" or that they should be expected or even excused. They have specific causes. Each accident can be traced to one or more factors that led to its occurrence, and in many cases, they can be traced back to a particular decision, act, or failure to act that created an unsafe work environment for the worker who was ultimately injured.
The following are examples of potential construction accident causes:
- Violation of OSHA fall protection standards for ladders or scaffolding
- Defective power tools or construction equipment
- Poorly maintained construction vehicles, tools, or equipment
- Lack of proper safety training and education for construction site workers
- Lack of communication between workers operating cranes or other heavy machinery
- Lack of safety precautions when working with or near electricity and power lines
These and other failures put constructions workers at risk for burn injuries, electrocution, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and other life-changing or even fatal injuries.
Employers Are Responsible for Construction Worker Safety
Employers are responsible for worker safety, even in industries like construction where hazards are plentiful. They must make sure that construction sites are properly supervised, that workers are trained on safety, that safety standards are implemented, and that equipment is properly maintained. When they put safety second to making deadlines, construction companies put every worker's safety in jeopardy. Our Dallas construction accident attorneys fight to hold them accountable when this happens.
After a Dallas Construction Accident: Dos & Don'ts
Here are a few helpful tips we can offer when it comes to dealing with a construction accident:
- DO inform your supervisor or manager that you've been injured.
- DO seek medical attention as quickly as possible, no matter how minor your injuries may seem.
- DO talk to a Dallas construction accident lawyer about your rights and options.
- DON'T sign a statement or accept a settlement before talking to your lawyer.
- DON'T let your employer pressure you to return to work if you aren't ready.
Crane Accidents in Dallas, TX
Crane accidents are devastating because of their weight, size, and location. Because cranes are typically used in densely populated areas, the collapse of one can be catastrophic for those near it. A crane collapse causes thousands of pounds of steel to crash into buildings and onto busy streets. Crane collapses often involve serious injuries or fatalities, and they are nearly always preventable with the proper safety procedures.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the United States has an average of 44 crane-related deaths each year. Crane accidents typically happen at construction sites or in the manufacturing industry. These industries combine to account for 64% of all crane accidents.
Common Dallas crane accident causes include the following:
- Improper usage of the crane
- Improper crane for the job
- Poor weather
- Improper set-up
- Falling debris
- Hazardous conditions near the crane
Companies must train their crane operators properly, be sure that every worker at a job site is trained to avoid crane accidents and ensure that they are installing cranes securely and safely. When a crane is involved with an accident, it’s almost certain that the accident could have been prevented.
Our team takes on crane accident cases in Dallas and across the U.S. involving:
- Struck by an object that falls from a crane
- Struck by a swinging crane load
- Falling from a crane
- Electrocution
- Struck or run over by a crane
- Crane collapses and overturns
- Boom collapses
- Boom or crane contact with power lines
North Texas Leads the Entire Nation in Crane Accidents
During its comprehensive report on crane accidents, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a shocking fact: our state had nearly as many crane accident fatalities as the next four states combined. Between 2011 and 2015, Texas had 40 crane fatalities while the next 4 states had a combined total of 44 fatalities. Our state has a crane accident issue, and the companies who lease, manufacture, and operate them are very aware of it.
Since 2012, North Texas has had several deadly crane accidents. Crane accidents became such a problem in the northern part of the state that the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) launched a special safety initiative in the region. During this initiative, OSHA conducted more than 77 inspections and handed out more than 65 violations. Of these violations, 71 percent were for a willful, serious, or a repeated offense. In other words, the OSHA initiative confirmed that North Texas has a widespread and obvious issue with crane safety.
Deadly North Texas crane accidents in recent years include:
- 2012: 2 workers killed at the University of Texas Dallas
- 2013: 1 Alvarado worker killed when struck by a crane
- 2013: 1 Mansfield worker killed by a falling sheet of metal coil
- 2015: 1 Dallas worker crushed to death between the crane boom and truck
- 2017: 1 Commerce worker killed by granite that fell from a crane
- 2017: 1 Royse City worker struck by a crane beam and killed
- 2017: 1 Dallas worker killed by a crane that fell over
- 2019: 1 Dallas woman killed when a crane collapsed into her apartment
- 2023: 1 worker hit and killed by a collapsed crane at a Celina construction site
Crane Safety Violations
OSHA has strict safety standards regarding crane use. These standards are in place to prevent catastrophic crane accidents that can cause serious injuries and property damage. Unfortunately, some individuals and companies overlook OSHA’s crane safety standards. Using an unqualified signalperson or crane operator, failing to perform routine inspections, working too close to power lines, and using an improperly qualified rigger are examples of common safety violations related to cranes. When any aspect of crane safety is overlooked or ignored, the results can be disastrous. That’s why our Dallas crane accident attorneys are so passionate about helping people who have lost loved ones or experienced life-changing injuries in preventable crane collapses, falls, and more.
We deal with crane injuries caused by such violations as:
- Improperly qualified and/or documented signalperson
- Materials rigged by an improperly qualified rigger
- Failure to perform monthly or annual inspections
- Failure to ensure a working radius at least 20 feet from power lines
- Failure to keep operator manuals and other documentation in the crane cab
- Failure to follow up on and address a deficiency noted during an inspection
- Failure to replace missing or damaged crane warning labels and decals
Our Track Record: Construction Accidents Case Results
When choosing an attorney to handle your construction accident claim, you want to find a legal team that has a proven history of securing favorable results. While Arnold & Itkin can't guarantee a specific result for any case, we can tell you that we take on cases that we truly believe in and that we're ready to fight for relentlessly, with the full backing of our experience and resources.
Some of the construction accident cases we've handled in the past have resulted in:
- $44 million for a client who was struck by a piece of equipment when a crane collapsed, resulting in him having to get an above-the-knee amputation: This is the largest verdict ever awarded for a single amputee victim
- $16.5 million for a crane rigger who had a crane load fall on him, crushing his pelvis
- $15.4 million recovered for four injured contract workers who suffered physical and psychological injuries from a massive plant explosion—an explosion that could have been prevented had the company repaired their reboiler or at least shut down the plant during construction
- $3.9 million recovered for a railroad construction worker who was struck and injured by a forklift
- $2.78 million recovered for a contractor who was injured at a plant facility during construction, suffering back and neck injuries
- And many others
Call (888) 493-1629 or request a free case review online to see how our Dallas construction accident lawyers might be able to help you.
All About Dallas
Dallas is the seat of Dallas County and is the third largest city in Texas. Because the city is so economically and culturally diverse, Dallas is a prime choice for businesses and individuals, both single and with families. Dallas is industrialized but has suburbs that appeal to those looking for a quieter lifestyle. There are also plenty of outdoor activities, famous art districts, highly rated restaurants, and more shopping centers per capita than any other city in the country. The Dallas Park System includes 397 parks that cover more than 20,000 acres of land. Popular attractions include the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Dallas World Aquarium.
Dallas is a part of an urbanized area known as the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and this region is home to one-fourth of all Texans. There are also 22 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the Metroplex, and with a major inland port, four railroads, and two airports, Dallas is an established transportation hub. The major industries in the area include financial services, defense, telecommunications, transportation, and information technology.
Dallas, TX Resources
Our Dallas Construction Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help: (888) 493-1629
If you need help after a construction accident, we're ready to help. Lost wages, medical bills, and any other damages might be recoverable after your accident. No one should have to suffer because of negligence, and we've stepped in to help workers just like you. In fact, our team has recovered billions of dollars for clients over the years. Whether you need help getting compensation from your small employer or are facing a giant company, we're ready to bring the fight required to help you move forward.
For your free consultation, give our Dallas injury attorneys a call at (888) 493-1629. We have the dedication required to fight for the answers you deserve.
