Construction Accident Attorney Serving Austin And Surrounding Areas
Last updated on March 18, 2026
Injuries are an unfortunate and sometimes unavoidable part of the job for construction workers. Even with all of the safety regulations and requirements in place, employers can never guarantee perfect safety to their employees. However, construction workers should not live in fear that an accident will affect their health. With the proper support and by taking a few proactive measures, workers can advocate for compensation and fight to change the system through accountability.
I am accident attorney Matthew Schrum. When I founded my firm, The Law Office of Matthew Shrum, PLLC, I sought to offer relentless representation to injury victims in Austin and the surrounding areas, including Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties.
For two decades, I have offered experienced insight to injured construction workers to ensure they understand that an injury is only the beginning of the process and not the end of the road. When working with my firm, Texas construction workers can expect to receive support from an honest lawyer who is passionate about protecting their rights and careers.
What Is The Leading Cause Of Death In Construction?
In the construction industry, there is a frequently used term, “the fatal four,” that references the most common construction accidents. Falls are one of the fatal four construction injuries, along with struck-by-object accidents, electrocutions and caught-in or between injuries. The most prevalent cause of fatalities, though are falls. Falls account for roughly 40% of all workplace fatalities in the construction industry, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
What Are The Top Three Causes Of Accidents At Work?
On construction sites, injuries are a reality that workers must address daily. Additionally, due to the inherent danger of the required work, construction accidents are far from uncommon. Falls, struck-by-object injuries and electrocutions are the three most commonly cited injuries for construction workers. Despite the frequent nature of construction injuries, workers may not be responsible for their injuries. Depending on the type of injury, the employer may be liable for their negligence, specifically if they violated the safety regulations enacted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
What OSHA Violations Are Commonly Cited In Construction Injury Claims?
When construction workers suffer injuries on the job site, legal proceedings may be needed to uncover the root cause and determine if the employer is responsible for the accident. To hold the employer accountable, workers may use OSHA violations as evidence of negligence to ensure they obtain compensation and justice for their injuries.
Based on the prevalence of falls in the industry, the most common OSHA violation workers use to highlight a company’s negligence is their failure to provide fall protection. OSHA obligates companies to have guardrails, safety nets or personal systems to prevent employees from falling at certain heights. Businesses are additionally required to train workers on fall protection to help them identify and avoid potential dangers.
Violations surrounding ladders and scaffolding are also signs of employer carelessness. For example, if an employer allows for the improper use or use of a damaged scaffolding or ladder, they might find themselves liable for damages.
It is important to understand, however, that your workers’ compensation claim does not require proof that anyone was negligent or committed any OSHA violation. Evidence of unsafe working conditions may come into play, however, if you have a personal injury claim.
Is Austin’s Construction Boom Putting Workers At Risk?
In Austin, as in Williamson and Hays counties, the construction industry is receiving an influx of work due to the consistent growth the area is experiencing. The expeditious growth occurring in this area has led to an increased demand for construction work and a desire to maintain the rapid growth.
With this rate of growth, employers will undoubtedly expose their workers to more risk, such as heights, dangerous machinery and excessive heat, leading to an increase in the potential for injury. Workers who have fallen victim to Austin construction boom injuries may need legal guidance immediately to defend themselves and to simplify the process ahead.
Third-Party Liability Claims Beyond Workers’ Compensation In Texas
When employees suffer injuries, they typically believe that workers’ compensation is their only option and remedy. However, this is far from the truth.
Injured construction workers can take legal action against other parties, other than their employer, if they were responsible for their accident or suffering. Construction workers who are successful in filing a third-party liability claim can obtain compensation for their pain and suffering, lost wages and punitive damages, possibly.
The parties that injured employees can file a claim against include subcontractors, general contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers or suppliers and motorists. Workers can file a claim against specific contractors who are responsible for safety failures on a work site, such as not installing fall protection or failing to supervise workers, if these actions led to their injuries.
Furthermore, property owners could find themselves involved in a lawsuit as well if they allowed dangerous conditions to be present on their premises. Improper maintenance and poor lighting are two common ways property owners can directly cause a construction accident.
Equipment suppliers or manufacturers who sold faulty tools or machinery can also be sued if the construction worker was using those items at the time of their injury. Lastly, if a construction worker’s injury involved a motor vehicle, then they can file a personal injury claim against the reckless drivers.
Supporting Texas Construction Workers With Honest Guidance
A work injury can be a shocking and grueling experience to endure for employees in the construction industry. Between worrying about their physical health and their financial stability, workers can find it impossible to handle the legal elements of their personal injury case. Injured Texas construction workers do not need to face the brunt of a work injury’s impact unsupported, though. As your construction accident lawyer, I will support you every step of the way.
To evaluate the options available, call my office today at 512-994-0313 or contact me through this email form to schedule a free consultation.