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Houston Construction Injuries: Key Facts Trench Collapses Around Houston Claims on Large Houston Projects Contact Our Houston Office Frequently Asked QuestionsTHE LAW GIANT construction accident lawyers:
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From I-45 to new subdivisions in Fort Bend and Brazoria counties, Houston has more construction under way than almost anywhere in Texas. Many of those jobs involve deep trenches and work at height, where one missed safety step can be fatal.
Call The Law Giant at 956-982-1800 or contact us online for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Houston Construction Injuries: Key Facts
- Houston construction employers reported 138 severe injuries to OSHA from 2021 through November 2025. Falls to a lower level made up 41 of them and heat caused 8, based on our review of OSHA’s severe injury reports.
- A 21-year-old roofer died after falling about 30 feet through a skylight on a Houston building in 2022. OSHA proposed $223,341 in penalties against the roofing company, including two willful violations.
- TxDOT calls the I-45 rebuild a $13 billion, 18-year project. Construction began in 2024, bringing years of highway work zones.
Trench Collapses Around Houston
Houston’s soft, wet soil makes unprotected trenches especially dangerous. Recent OSHA cases in the area include:
- Fulshear, 2023: An 18-year-old died when a 15-foot trench wall collapsed. OSHA proposed $257,811 against Hurtado Construction Co.
- Manvel, 2022: A worker was killed in a 25-foot trench collapse. OSHA proposed $257,822 against R Construction Civil LLC.
- Alvin, 2026: An excavation collapse at a housing development hospitalized a worker. OSHA proposed $343,797 against Blazey Construction Services LLC for repeat violations.
OSHA requires a protective system in any trench 5 feet or deeper.
Claims on Large Houston Projects
Highway, plant and port jobs often have several layers of subcontractors. That structure decides who you can sue.
Wrap-Up Insurance Programs
Owners and general contractors on big projects often buy one comp policy for every worker on site. Under Labor Code § 406.123, a company that provides your coverage this way is usually shielded from a lawsuit. Companies outside that program are not.
Repeat Violators
Two of the companies above had been cited before. Prior citations can help show a company knew about a hazard, which matters for gross negligence.
Contact Our Houston Office
Our Houston office is at 2450 Fondren Rd. We request OSHA files, soil and shoring records and contracts that show who controlled the site. See our Houston work injury, forklift accident, electrocution, brain injury and wrongful death pages. For statewide rules, see our Texas construction accident page.
Call 956-982-1800. You pay nothing unless we win.
Common Questions
Houston Construction Accident FAQs
Who is responsible for a trench collapse in Houston?
Usually the contractor running the excavation, since OSHA requires shoring or a trench box at 5 feet. A general contractor or engineer may also share blame.
I was hurt on the I-45 project. Can I sue TxDOT?
Claims against the state are limited and have strict notice rules. Most claims are against the contractors doing the work. A lawyer can sort out which companies were involved.
My employer is covered by a wrap-up policy. Can I still sue anyone?
You can usually still sue companies outside the program, such as equipment makers or delivery drivers. The details depend on the written coverage agreements.
Does it matter if the company was cited by OSHA before?
It can. Earlier citations for the same hazard can show the company knew the risk, which helps prove gross negligence.
How long do I have to file a Houston construction injury claim?
Tell your employer within 30 days. A comp claim is due within one year, and a lawsuit against a contractor or driver usually within two years of the injury.
Giant Wins for All Injuries
Our personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of accidents and serious injuries across Texas.
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