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Construction work around Pilot Point and the broader Denton County area is growing fast. New roads, commercial developments, and residential projects are pushing up along U.S. Highway 377 and throughout the farm-to-market corridors north of Denton. That growth brings real danger for the workers building it. When a construction accident happens, the injuries are often severe, the legal questions are complicated, and the financial pressure on injured workers and their families is immediate. If you or someone you love was hurt on a construction site near Pilot Point, you need to understand your rights under Texas law, and you need a legal team that will fight for everything you are owed. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys serves injured workers and their families throughout Denton County, and we are ready to help you.
Table of Contents
- Why Construction Sites Near Pilot Point Are So Dangerous
- Texas Law and Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pilot Point Construction Accident
- Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Lawsuits After a Construction Accident
- Common Construction Accident Injuries and the Damages You Can Recover
- What to Do Immediately After a Construction Accident in Pilot Point
- FAQs About Pilot Point Construction Accident Lawyers
Why Construction Sites Near Pilot Point Are So Dangerous
Construction is one of the deadliest industries in the United States. Construction and extraction workers experienced 1,032 fatalities in 2024 alone, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number represents real people, real families, and real communities shattered by preventable accidents.
OSHA identifies what it calls the “Fatal Four” causes of construction deaths: falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in or between accidents, and electrocutions. Falls from elevation alone accounted for 389 of the 1,034 construction fatalities recorded in 2024. These are not random events. They happen when safety standards are ignored, equipment is poorly maintained, or job sites are not properly managed.
In Pilot Point, construction sites along Farm-to-Market Road 455 and the areas surrounding downtown near the historic Pilot Point Courthouse square share the same hazards as any large Texas job site. Scaffolding collapses, trenching accidents, crane failures, and falls from unguarded rooftops or elevated platforms all happen here. Workers operating heavy machinery near residential developments off U.S. 377 face the same risks as workers on any major Texas project.
OSHA’s most frequently cited construction standard in fiscal year 2024 was Fall Protection under 29 CFR 1926.501, which requires employers to provide guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems for workers exposed to fall hazards of six feet or more. When a contractor skips those protections to save time or money, workers pay the price with their bodies, and sometimes with their lives.
The attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys understand how these accidents happen. We work with investigators and safety professionals to build strong cases for injured workers in Pilot Point and across Denton County. If you were hurt on a construction site, call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.
Texas Law and Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pilot Point Construction Accident
Multiple parties can be legally responsible for a construction accident in Texas. Identifying every liable party is one of the most important steps in recovering full compensation after a serious injury.
General contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and even architects or engineers can all face liability depending on the facts of the accident. Texas is the only state in the country that does not make workers’ compensation insurance mandatory for employers, which creates a unique legal environment that affects how injured workers can pursue their claims.
When your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, that coverage typically limits your ability to sue the employer directly for negligence. However, that limitation does not protect third parties. If someone other than your employer contributed to your injuries, like a negligent property owner, subcontractor, or equipment manufacturer, you may be able to file a third-party claim. For example, if a crane malfunctions due to a design flaw, the manufacturer might be liable.
If your employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, Texas law treats that employer as a “non-subscriber.” If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may have the right to file a lawsuit for damages. Proving negligence can result in compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses, often exceeding what workers’ compensation provides.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 sets the general two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. That clock typically starts running on the date of the accident. Missing that deadline means losing your right to compensation entirely, so acting quickly matters. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can review your case and identify every party whose negligence contributed to your injuries.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Lawsuits After a Construction Accident
Injured construction workers in Texas often have two separate legal paths available to them, and understanding the difference between those paths can dramatically affect how much compensation you recover.
Workers’ compensation in Texas operates on a no-fault basis. This means you are entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the accident, whether it was you, your employer, or a coworker. Those benefits typically cover medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. However, workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering, full wage replacement, or other non-economic damages.
A third-party lawsuit is different. A third-party lawsuit in Texas can lead to the recovery of 100 percent of your lost wages from a construction site accident, plus pain and suffering damages. That is a significant difference from what workers’ compensation alone provides.
You can pursue both at the same time. You can file both a workers’ comp claim and a third-party lawsuit in Texas. Even after you accept a workers’ compensation insurance settlement, you can sue a third party for additional damages. Keep in mind that under Section 417.002 of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Statute, proceeds from a third-party claim must first reimburse the workers’ compensation carrier for benefits it already paid out. An attorney can help you structure your recovery to maximize what you actually keep.
If you were injured on a job site near Pilot Point, whether it was near the Denton County fairgrounds area, along the rail corridor, or on a residential project off Oak Street, Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can evaluate both options for you. Call (940) 800-2500 to speak with our team today.
Common Construction Accident Injuries and the Damages You Can Recover
Construction accidents produce some of the most severe injuries seen in any personal injury case. Falls from scaffolding, trench collapses, electrocutions, and being struck by heavy equipment all carry the potential for life-altering harm. The injuries that follow often require years of medical treatment and can permanently change a worker’s ability to earn a living.
Common injuries from Pilot Point construction accidents include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crush injuries, amputations, severe burns, and broken bones. Traumatic brain injuries, in particular, can affect a person’s cognitive function, personality, and ability to work for the rest of their life. Spinal cord injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis. These are not injuries that heal quickly or cheaply.
Texas law allows injured workers to pursue compensation for a full range of damages in a third-party lawsuit. Those damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and physical impairment. In cases involving a non-subscribing employer, punitive damages may also be available in egregious cases of negligence.
When a construction accident results in a worker’s death, the family has rights under Texas law as well. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002, a person is liable for damages arising from an injury that causes an individual’s death if that injury was caused by the person’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, or unskillfulness. Surviving spouses, children, and parents may bring a wrongful death claim. A separate survival action may also be filed on behalf of the deceased worker’s estate. These claims are distinct from workers’ compensation death benefits and can provide far greater financial recovery for the family.
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles construction accident cases throughout Denton County, including Pilot Point, Aubrey, Sanger, and the surrounding communities. Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in another matter, as every case depends on its own facts and applicable law. What we can promise is that we will work hard to pursue every dollar of compensation the law allows.
What to Do Immediately After a Construction Accident in Pilot Point
The steps you take in the hours and days after a construction accident directly affect the strength of your legal claim. Acting quickly and carefully protects your health and your right to compensation.
First, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, get evaluated by a medical professional right away. Some serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal damage, do not produce obvious symptoms at first. A medical record created close to the time of the accident also serves as important evidence linking your injuries to the job site.
Second, report the accident to your employer. Under Texas law, you must report a work-related injury to your employer within 30 days. You must also file a claim with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation within one year of the injury date. Missing either deadline can jeopardize your workers’ compensation benefits.
Third, document everything you can. Take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and any equipment or conditions that contributed to the accident. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Do not sign any documents from an insurance company or employer before speaking with an attorney.
Fourth, preserve all evidence. Do not allow the job site to be cleaned up or altered before it is documented. Construction companies and their insurers sometimes move quickly to change the scene after an accident. An attorney can send a spoliation letter demanding that all evidence be preserved.
Fifth, contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys as soon as possible. We serve injured workers in Pilot Point and throughout Denton County. Our team can begin investigating your accident immediately, identify all liable parties, and protect your legal rights from day one. Call us at (940) 800-2500. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
FAQs About Pilot Point Construction Accident Lawyers
Can I sue my employer for a construction accident in Pilot Point, Texas?
It depends on whether your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer has workers’ comp coverage, Texas law generally limits your ability to sue the employer directly for negligence. Your remedy is typically through the workers’ comp system. However, if your employer is a non-subscriber, meaning they do not carry workers’ compensation insurance, you can sue them directly and they lose several common legal defenses, such as the fellow servant rule and assumption of risk. In either situation, you may still have claims against third parties like subcontractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers. An attorney can review your situation and tell you exactly which options are available to you.
How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in Texas?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. If you are filing a workers’ compensation claim, you must report the injury to your employer within 30 days and file with the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation within one year. These deadlines are strict. Missing them can permanently bar your right to compensation. Do not wait to speak with an attorney after a construction accident.
What if the construction accident was partly my fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 50 percent. However, your total damages award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 20 percent at fault and awards $500,000 in damages, you would receive $400,000. Insurance companies often try to assign as much fault as possible to injured workers to reduce their payout. Having an attorney on your side helps counter those tactics.
What types of construction accidents does Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handle?
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles a wide range of construction accident cases in Pilot Point and throughout Denton County. These include falls from scaffolding, ladders, or elevated platforms, trench and excavation collapses, electrocutions, crane and heavy equipment accidents, being struck by falling objects, caught-in or between machinery accidents, and accidents caused by defective tools or equipment. If a worker was killed in a construction accident, we also handle wrongful death and survival claims on behalf of the family. Every case is evaluated individually, and past results do not predict future outcomes.
Do I have to pay upfront to hire Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys for a construction accident case?
No. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no out-of-pocket expenses to get started. You can call us at (940) 800-2500 to schedule a free consultation. We will review the facts of your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions at no charge. Our goal is to make quality legal representation accessible to every injured worker in Pilot Point and across Denton County.
Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. This page is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter. Results depend on the specific facts and legal circumstances of each individual case.
