Odessa Construction Accident Lawyers

Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Odessa

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified four hazards, often called the "fatal four," that are responsible for the majority of construction worker deaths nationwide.

The Texas Department of Insurance highlights these same four hazards as the leading causes of construction deaths in Texas. In Odessa and the surrounding Permian Basin, these hazards show up in familiar ways.

They often look like:

• Falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, or unprotected elevated platforms, as well as slip and falls
• Struck-by accidents involving falling tools, unsecured materials, or heavy equipment
• Electrocutions from contact with overhead power lines or improperly grounded equipment
• Caught-in or caught-between accidents, including trench and excavation collapses or workers pinned by machinery
• Crane and rigging failures, such as boom collapses, on larger commercial or industrial builds
• Structural collapses or scaffolding accidents during framing, demolition, or excavation work

Odessa's construction risks are compounded by the region's energy industry. Many local projects involve work near tank batteries, pipelines, and active well sites, adding hazards not typically found on a standard commercial job site.

Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident?

Construction sites often involve multiple companies working side by side, which means more than one party can share responsibility for an accident. 

Identifying every liable party is one of the most important steps in a construction accident case, since it can significantly affect the total compensation available.

Workers' Compensation vs. Third-Party & Nonsubscriber Claims

Texas is the only state that does not require private employers to carry workers' compensation insurance. Employers who opt out are known as "nonsubscribers." This is common among many smaller contractors and subcontractors working in and around the Permian Basin, but larger companies may also choose to be nonsubscribers. It’s important to know whether your employer offers workers’ comp or is a nonsubscriber. 

This distinction matters a great deal for injured workers. If your employer carries workers' compensation, you may be limited to filing a workers' comp claim rather than suing your employer directly. But if your employer is a nonsubscriber, you may be able to bring a direct negligence lawsuit against them, potentially recovering damages that workers' comp benefits do not cover, such as the full value of your lost income and pain and suffering.

Separately, even workers who are covered by workers' compensation often have a third-party claim against someone other than their employer, such as a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer. These claims exist independently of any workers' comp benefits and can provide additional compensation. Understanding which claims apply to your situation is one of the most valuable things a construction accident lawyer can help you determine.

Construction Risks & Injuries by the Numbers

Construction consistently ranks among the deadliest industries for American workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2024 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, construction and extraction workers experienced over 1,000 fatal work injuries nationwide, with falls, slips, and trips accounting for a large share of those deaths. Texas reflects this trend closely. The Texas Department of Insurance's most recent workplace fatality report found that construction accounted for nearly a quarter of all workplace fatalities statewide, more than almost any other industry tracked.

These numbers highlight the importance of stringent safety standards on construction sites throughout Odessa, Texas, and across the country. Due to the dangerous nature of this type of work, an accident on a construction site is rarely minor. Instead, these incidents often lead to catastrophic injuries and, in the worst cases, death. Workers involved in construction accidents may find themselves struggling to cope with the aftermath: expensive medical bills, lost income, and an uncertain future in the face of a new reality. That’s where we come in.

Keep Reading

• Making Construction Sites Safer: How Employers Can Reduce Risks on Building Sites
• When Tort Claims Can Be Filed Outside of Workers' Compensation
• Why Workers Keep Dying Behind Backing Dump Trucks
• Death by Heat Exposure: Texas Workers Face a Heightened Risk of Hyperthermia 

Compensation Available in a Construction Accident Claim

With the help of a skilled construction accident lawyer in Odessa, injured workers can seek fair compensation for every loss they experience as a result of their injuries. 

A successful construction accident claim can help cover a wide range of damages, including:

• Medical expenses, both current and future
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Every case is different, and the right approach depends on who was at fault, whether your employer carries workers' compensation, and the severity of your injuries.

Contact Us After a Construction Accident in Odessa

If you were hurt on a construction site in Odessa or Ector County, don't wait to get help. Evidence at construction sites can be altered or removed quickly, and insurance companies often begin building their defense right away. The sooner you reach out to our team, the sooner we can start building your case.

We handle construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no cost to you unless we secure a recovery on your behalf. Our Odessa construction accident attorneys are ready to listen to your story and fight for the fair recovery you deserve.

Contact Arnold & Itkin at (888) 493-1629 for a free, no-obligation consultation.