A single Houston construction site can have a general contractor, several subcontractors, a property owner, and an equipment supplier, all working in the same fifty feet of space. When someone gets hurt, each one tends to point at someone else.
Figuring out which of those companies actually caused the injury, not just which one signs the paycheck, is exactly where a Texas construction accident lawyer earns their fee. The Calderon Law Firm represents injured construction workers across Houston and the rest of Texas in claims against contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers, not only employers.
If you're not sure which company on your job site actually caused your injury, that's the first thing we investigate. Call 346-999-5673 to walk through what happened.
Who is liable for a construction accident in Texas?
More than one company can be liable for a single construction accident in Texas, and it is rarely just your direct employer. Depending on what happened, you may have a claim against the general contractor, a different subcontractor, the property owner, or the company that made a piece of defective equipment.
Workers' compensation, when it applies, generally limits how much you can recover from your own employer. That is exactly why identifying every other company connected to the job site matters, since those parties are not protected by that same limit.
The most common ways construction workers get hurt in Houston
Falls, being struck by falling or moving objects, electrocution, and getting caught in or between equipment account for most construction deaths nationwide, according to OSHA. Houston's mix of high-rise, industrial, and residential projects sees all four regularly.
Houston's summer heat adds another layer of risk that OSHA tracks separately. Crews working roofs, scaffolding, and concrete pours in triple-digit heat without water breaks or shade face a real and preventable danger, and a pattern of ignoring it can support a negligence claim.
Can I sue the general contractor if I work for a subcontractor?
Possibly. Texas law does not automatically hold a general contractor responsible for a subcontractor's mistakes. But if the general contractor controlled the actual methods of the work, and that control contributed to your injury, the general contractor can be held liable.
This is sometimes called the right to control standard. It comes up often on Houston sites. A general contractor might set the schedule, supply shared equipment like scaffolding or cranes, or direct crews from different subcontractors to work in the same space at the same time.
When the property owner can be held responsible
Texas law actually makes it harder, not easier, to sue a property owner directly after a construction accident. Under Chapter 95 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a commercial property owner is protected from these claims in most cases.
The exception requires two things: the owner controlled how the work was done, and the owner knew about the specific danger that caused your injury but failed to warn you.
That is a high bar, and it surprises a lot of injured workers who assume the property owner is automatically responsible. It is not impossible to meet, especially on sites where the owner kept safety staff on hand or set strict rules for how work had to be performed. Still, it takes real investigation to prove.
Equipment failures and other companies on the same job site
Defective tools, cranes, scaffolding, and heavy machinery cause a meaningful share of construction injuries, and the company that made or maintained that equipment can be liable separately from your employer. The same goes for other subcontractors, delivery drivers, and utility crews who may be working near you without ever signing your paycheck.
If your accident involved a piece of equipment that malfunctioned or failed, ask whoever investigates your case to find out who manufactured, rented, or maintained it. That answer can open up a claim that has nothing to do with your employer's coverage at all.
If a property owner or another company on site contributed to what happened to you, that is worth confirming before you accept any offer. Call 346-999-5673 and we will help you find out.
How long do I have to file a claim after a Texas construction accident?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. That deadline applies whether your claim is against a third party, an equipment manufacturer, or a non-subscriber employer.
For a full breakdown of how Texas's non-subscriber rule works and what happens if your direct employer does not carry workers' compensation insurance, see our work injury page. That page covers the employer side in depth so this one can focus on everyone else who might be responsible.
Why Houston construction workers bring these cases to The Calderon Law Firm
We have helped more than 5,000 Texan families and recovered more than $200 million in compensation for our clients. Houston's construction, refinery, and maritime economy means we regularly untangle cases involving a general contractor, several subcontractors, and a property owner all at once.
We tell you early what we think your case is actually worth, not what sounds good on a phone call. If your accident happened on a refinery site or involved an explosion, our team also handles explosion claims and offshore injury claims that often overlap with construction work in this area.
Ask The Calderon Law Firm
Can I sue if I was hurt while working for a subcontractor?
Yes, in many cases. Workers' compensation generally limits what you can recover from your own employer. But it does not protect the general contractor, the property owner, or other companies on site if their negligence contributed to your injury. A lawyer can review the job site relationships to find out who else may be responsible.
What should I do immediately after a construction accident in Texas?
Get medical attention first, then report the accident to your supervisor in writing if you are able to. Take photos of the scene and equipment involved, get the names of anyone who saw what happened, and avoid signing anything from an insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.
Why is it harder to sue a property owner in Texas than people expect?
Texas passed a law specifically to protect property owners from claims by contractors and their employees, on the idea that owners usually do not control how outside contractors do their work. That protection only breaks down if the owner actually directed the work and knew about a specific danger without warning anyone. It is a narrow exception, not a long shot, but it takes real evidence to prove.
Does it matter if more than one company is responsible for my accident?
Yes, it can significantly affect how much compensation is available. Each liable company typically carries its own insurance, with its own coverage limit. Identifying every responsible party, not just the most obvious one, often determines whether your settlement reflects the real cost of your injury.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Texas construction accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, which means we only get paid a percentage if we recover compensation for you, and you owe nothing in attorney fees if we don't win.
How long does a construction accident claim take to resolve?
It depends on how many parties are involved and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Claims against a single negligent party sometimes resolve in months, while cases involving multiple companies and significant injuries can take a year or more.
What if OSHA already investigated my accident?
That can help your case. An OSHA citation does not automatically prove negligence in Texas. But it can be used as evidence that a company failed to meet a basic safety standard, which strengthens a civil claim against them.
Do I need a lawyer who speaks Spanish for my construction accident claim?
Not necessarily, but it helps. The Calderon Law Firm is bilingual, and many of our construction accident clients in Houston prefer to discuss the details of their case in Spanish from the very first call.
What should I bring to my free consultation?
Bring anything you have related to the accident, such as photos, medical records, or an incident report. If you don't have any of that yet, that's fine. We can help you figure out what to gather next.
Construction sites get loud with everyone pointing fingers at someone else. Call 346-999-5673 and let's figure out who is actually responsible for what happened to you.