Three construction workers have been killed and another has been injured as a result of a building collapse at a construction site in the area of City Centre, near Interstate 10 and Beltway 8. The Houston Fire Department indicates that the incident appears to be the result of a “pancake-style” collapse of a concrete stairwell near the 13th floor of the partially constructed building.
Marathon Oil Headquarters Following Stairwell Collapse on October 5th 2020
As of Tuesday morning, members of the Houston Fire Department’s elite rescue team indicate that it is not yet safe to remove the bodies of the deceased construction workers from the rubble. Engineers and construction crews worked through the night to cut holes into the roof of the remaining structure and to check the structural integrity of the perimeter of the remaining structure. The plan is to remove large portions of the concrete stairwell through the holes in the roof by using cranes.
The collapse was first reported at approximately 1:30pm at the site of the future headquarters of Houston-based Marathon Oil. The 15-story One MRO Building Project features ultra modern amenities and carries a $169M price tag. Harvey Builders is the general contractor for the project, while Hines and East Texas Precast are serving in subcontractor roles for the development of the site.
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Credit: Houston Permitting Center
The Alfred Firm’s construction accident attorneys continue to monitor this situation and will provide updates as the story develops.
Structural Collapse Incidents
In commercial building construction, structural collapses are usually very preventable, considering that there are so many regulations in place to prevent them. Building regulations are put in place to ensure that stairways have the proper structural integrity. However, many buildings, since they were built several years ago, do not have to comply with the most up to date building codes. Those buildings are considered "grandfathered in” by many government regulators. Still, if the building owners have knowledge that the building structural integrity has been compromised, they must repair any defective conditions to protect the lives of building occupants.
Building Codes Set Standards for Stairwell Construction
Construction of commercial stairways require compliance with building codes. Many cities and municipalities have adopted the International Building Code, which governs structural design standards, testing and inspection protocols, material standards and the like. Builders that fall short of the minimum standards set forth by the building codes can be held accountable for the injuries and/or deaths caused by those shortcomings.
Why Contact a Construction Accident Attorney?
Construction sites can be dangerous for workers and visitors. A variety of factors make it dangerous for workers and guests. Factors that increase the risk of a construction accident include:
- Collapsing structures
- Faulty structural support
- Overhead hazards
- Improper barricading of fall radius
- Heavy Machinery
- Dangerous Machinery
- Poorly Maintained Equipment
- Power Tools
- Climbing to High Locations
- Falling Materials
All visitors and workers need to take precautions to reduce the risk of a construction accident. However, even when people follow all safety precautions, a person can be injured on a construction site.
Workers Injured in Construction Accidents
Workers’ compensation insurance typically covers employees injured in construction accidents. If the injury occurred during the ordinary course of the person’s employment, the employee would receive workers’ comp benefits.
However, there are instances in which a worker may receive additional compensation. If a third party contractor caused an injury, the employee may have a claim against the party who caused the injury. In some cases, an employer could be held liable for gross negligence or incompetence that caused an employee injury in a construction accident. Also, if defective equipment caused the construction accident, the worker might have a claim against the manufacturer.
Workers injured in construction accidents, such as the Houston Stairwell Collapse at the Marathon Oil Headquarters construction site, may want to consult with a Houston construction accident attorney. Workers’ compensation benefits only pay for reasonable medical care and a portion of lost wages. A worker hurt in a construction accident could be entitled to substantial compensation for all damages.
Visitors to the Construction Site
Even though a construction site is inherently dangerous, property owners and construction company’s owe a duty of care to individuals who enter the property with permission. Warning signs should be visible to provide notice of dangers and hazards on the property. Guests and others on the property should be required to wear hard hats and other safety gear at all times.
If a person is injured in a construction accident, the person could have a claim against multiple parties. Depending on the type of accident and the cause of the accident, the person could have a claim against the property owner, construction company, and other parties.
Sorting Out Who is Responsible for a Construction Accident
Construction accidents are very complicated personal injury claims. There are several different defenses that a construction company or property owner may use to deny liability for a construction accident. Our experienced construction accident lawyers in Houston understand the potential defenses used for construction accident claims and how to refute those defenses.
Our Houston personal injury lawyers initiate our own investigation into the cause of the construction accident to determine who may be liable for injury claims. When a worker is the victim of a construction accident, we determine if the person may have a third party claim that could result in full compensation for all loss of income, in addition to compensation for pain and suffering damages.
Every construction accident case is unique. After gaining a thorough understanding of your case, we can guide you in the steps you should take to maximize the amount of money you may receive after a construction accident.
Contact a Houston Construction Accident Lawyer for More Information
The Alfred Firm is highly experienced in handling construction accident cases. Founder Byron Alfred is regularly hired by the families of construction accident victims following catastrophic incidents, such as this West Houston Stairwell Collapse. Most recently, in 2018, Attorney Byron obtained the largest jury verdict for a construction accident in the state of Texas.
Hiring a lawyer with the proper experience in handling construction accident cases is paramount. Several nuanced laws have made it extremely important that workers have the right law firm on their sides.
Certain obscure laws protect building owners and general contractors from claims brought by construction contractors and their families. Other laws involving the types of insurance coverage held by the general contractors and subcontractors allow multiple companies to share in the protections normally reserved for employers that provide workers compensation coverage to their employees. All of these nuances to construction accident cases should be considered when hiring a lawyer to handle your case.
The steps you take after a construction accident are crucial. Report the accident immediately to the owner or manager. Seek medical treatment for your injuries. Keep detailed notes about all interactions and discussions related to your accident and injury. As soon as possible, contact our office to speak with an attorney.
Contact The Alfred Firm by calling (713) 470-9714 to schedule a free consultation with a construction accident attorney in Houston.