Rhome Construction Accident Lawyer

Get a Free Case Review

SERIOUS ATTORNEYS FOR SERIOUS INJURIES

Practice Areas

FREE CONSULTATION
five-stars-BBGgold

Chandler Ross is the best hands down! You can not go wrong with these attorneys!

— Tracy P.

Construction work in Rhome and the surrounding Wise County area is booming. Rhome has a 2026 population of 1,926 and is growing at a rate of 3.66% annually, with its population increasing by more than 17% since the 2020 census. That growth means new subdivisions, commercial builds, and infrastructure projects are going up all across the area, from Highway 287 corridors to new master-planned communities like Bluestem and Reunion. More construction means more workers on job sites, and more job sites mean more chances for someone to get hurt. If you or a family member suffered a serious injury on a Rhome construction site, the personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton, Texas are ready to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (940) 800-2500.

Table of Contents

Why Construction Accidents in Rhome Are So Serious

Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces in the country. Falls from elevation alone accounted for 389 of the 1,034 construction fatalities recorded in 2024, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That is more than one-third of all construction deaths in a single year, and those numbers do not include the thousands of workers who survive with life-altering injuries.

The “Fatal Four” hazards in construction, as identified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), are falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in or caught-between accidents. These four categories account for the majority of construction worker deaths every year. On a busy Wise County job site, any one of these hazards can be present on any given morning.

In fiscal year 2023, OSHA’s most cited construction regulation was a lack of fall protection, with 7,188 violations. That is not a coincidence. Under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M, OSHA requires fall protection for construction workers at heights of six feet or more. When a general contractor or site supervisor skips that requirement to save time or money, real workers pay the price.

Injuries on construction sites are rarely minor. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crush injuries, severe burns, and amputations are common outcomes. These injuries can end careers, drain savings, and permanently change the lives of workers and their families. The costs, both financial and personal, are enormous. That is exactly why Texas law gives injured workers and their families the right to pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

If you were hurt near a job site off Farm-to-Market Road 407 or along the US-287 corridor through Wise County, you should not assume that workers’ compensation is your only option. Depending on who caused your injury, you may have a separate civil claim worth far more.

Texas Laws That Protect Construction Accident Victims in Rhome

Several state and federal laws give injured construction workers the right to seek compensation beyond basic workers’ compensation benefits. Understanding those laws is the first step toward protecting yourself.

Texas does not require most private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This is unusual compared to other states. When a Texas employer opts out of the workers’ compensation system, that employer loses several legal defenses in a personal injury lawsuit, including the fellow servant rule, assumption of risk, and contributory negligence. That means an injured worker can sue a non-subscribing employer directly and often has a stronger case as a result.

Even when workers’ compensation applies, Texas law allows injured workers to file third-party claims against parties other than their direct employer. For example, if a subcontractor’s negligence caused your injury, or if defective equipment was involved, you can pursue a separate civil lawsuit against those responsible parties. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline almost always means losing your right to recover compensation.

Federal OSHA standards under 29 CFR Part 1926 set minimum safety requirements for construction sites nationwide. The most frequently cited OSHA standards in fiscal year 2024 included fall protection under 29 CFR 1926.501, ladder safety under 29 CFR 1926.1053, fall protection training under 29 CFR 1926.503, and scaffolding under 29 CFR 1926.451. When a contractor violates any of these standards and a worker is hurt as a result, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71 also provides a wrongful death cause of action for families who lose a loved one on a construction site. Under Section 71.002, a person is liable for damages arising from a death-causing injury when that injury resulted from the person’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, or unskillfulness. If your family lost someone in a Rhome construction accident, you have the right to pursue that claim.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents on Rhome Job Sites

Most construction accidents are preventable. They happen because someone, whether a general contractor, a subcontractor, an equipment manufacturer, or a property owner, failed to follow established safety rules. Knowing what causes these accidents helps injured workers identify who may be responsible.

Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities. Falls, slips, and trips accounted for 39.2% of all construction fatalities, and the majority of fatal falls (64.4%) occurred from heights between 6 and 30 feet. OSHA’s Subpart M regulations require guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems whenever workers are exposed to falls of six feet or more. When those protections are absent, the contractor is almost always at fault.

Scaffold collapses are another serious risk. New residential communities going up around Rhome, including multi-story builds in planned developments near Highway 287, often involve elevated scaffold work. Under 29 CFR 1926.451, scaffolds must be erected on stable ground, properly planked, and equipped with guardrails. Failures at any step can send workers crashing to the ground.

Struck-by accidents happen when workers are hit by falling tools, swinging equipment, or moving vehicles on a job site. Electrocutions occur when workers contact unguarded power lines or improperly wired equipment. Trench collapses, which can bury workers alive in seconds, remain a serious hazard on infrastructure and utility projects. Worker deaths in trench collapses declined nearly 70% since 2022, dropping from 39 fatalities in 2022 to 15 in 2023 and 12 in 2024, but they still happen and they are still devastating.

Defective tools and equipment also cause serious injuries. When a piece of equipment fails because of a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer can be held liable under Texas product liability law, separate from any negligence claim against the contractor. This is an important distinction that an experienced attorney can help you sort out.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rhome Construction Accident

Liability in a construction accident case is rarely limited to one party. Construction projects involve layers of contractors, subcontractors, equipment suppliers, and property owners, and any one of them could share responsibility for your injury.

The general contractor is typically responsible for overall site safety. When a general contractor fails to enforce OSHA standards, allows unsafe conditions to persist, or fails to coordinate safe work practices among subcontractors, that contractor can be held liable for resulting injuries. This is true even if the injured worker was employed by a subcontractor rather than the general contractor directly.

Subcontractors can also be held liable when their own negligence causes an injury. If a roofing subcontractor working on a new home in one of Rhome’s growing communities failed to tie off properly and a worker fell, that subcontractor faces direct liability. Property owners can be liable under Texas premises liability law when they retain control over a job site and fail to maintain safe conditions.

Equipment manufacturers face product liability claims when defective machinery causes an injury. If a crane, forklift, or power tool malfunctions because of a design or manufacturing defect, the manufacturer can be sued regardless of how carefully the operator used the equipment.

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. This means that even if you were partly at fault for your own injury, you can still recover compensation as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case and push back against attempts by defendants to shift blame onto you.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rhome Construction Accident

Texas law allows construction accident victims to recover several categories of damages. The specific amount depends on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the skill of your legal representation. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in your matter, since every case involves different facts and applicable law.

Economic damages cover your actual financial losses. These include past and future medical expenses, lost wages while you were unable to work, and loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation. For a construction worker who suffers a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury, the lifetime cost of care and lost income can reach into the millions.

Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. These are real harms that deserve real compensation. Texas law does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, which means the full extent of your suffering can be presented to a jury.

In cases involving gross negligence, Texas law also allows for exemplary (punitive) damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003. If a contractor knowingly ignored safety rules and put workers at risk, that conduct may support a claim for exemplary damages above and beyond your actual losses.

If your injury was also covered by workers’ compensation, Texas law allows your workers’ compensation carrier to seek reimbursement from any third-party recovery you obtain. An attorney can help you structure your case to maximize what you actually take home after all liens and subrogation claims are resolved.

Why You Should Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys After a Rhome Construction Accident

Construction accident cases are legally complex. They involve multiple potentially liable parties, overlapping state and federal regulations, workers’ compensation subrogation issues, and strict filing deadlines. Trying to handle a claim like this without legal representation puts you at a serious disadvantage against insurance companies and corporate defense teams who handle these cases every day.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm based in Denton, Texas, serving clients throughout Wise County and the surrounding North Texas region. Our office is conveniently located for clients coming from Rhome, whether you are traveling down US-287 or heading east toward Denton’s courthouse square on Locust Street. We represent injured workers and their families in construction accident cases, and we handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

When you call us, we listen. We investigate the job site, gather OSHA records, interview witnesses, and work with accident reconstruction and medical experts to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We understand that you are dealing with pain, medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. Our goal is to take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on recovering.

Do not wait to get help. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of your injury. Evidence disappears, witnesses move on, and job sites get cleaned up quickly. The sooner you contact us, the better position we are in to protect your rights.

Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys today at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation. There is no obligation, and everything you share with us is confidential. Let us help you understand your options and take the next step toward the compensation you deserve.

FAQs About Rhome Construction Accident Lawyers

Can I sue my employer if I was hurt on a construction site in Rhome?

It depends on whether your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance. Texas does not require most private employers to participate in the workers’ compensation system. If your employer opted out, you can sue them directly in civil court, and they lose several key legal defenses. If your employer does carry workers’ compensation, you generally cannot sue them directly, but you may still have a third-party claim against a general contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner whose negligence contributed to your injury. An attorney can review your situation and identify every available avenue for recovery.

What if I was partially at fault for my own construction accident in Rhome?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. You can still recover compensation even if you share some blame for the accident, as long as your percentage of fault is 50% or less. Your total recovery is reduced by your share of the fault. For example, if a jury finds you were 20% at fault and awards $500,000 in damages, you would receive $400,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout. Having an attorney represent you helps push back against those tactics.

How long do I have to file a construction accident lawsuit in Texas?

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period typically begins on the date of the death. There are limited exceptions, but they are narrow and difficult to qualify for. Waiting too long almost always means losing your right to any recovery. If you were hurt on a Rhome job site, contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible so we can preserve your claim.

What types of injuries are most common in Rhome construction accidents?

The most serious construction injuries involve falls from heights, being struck by falling objects or moving equipment, electrocution, and trench or structure collapses. These incidents commonly result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, crush injuries, severe burns, and amputations. Many of these injuries require long-term or permanent medical care, and some prevent workers from ever returning to their trade. The financial and personal impact of these injuries is significant, which is why pursuing full compensation, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity, is so important.

Does Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handle construction accident cases for workers in Rhome and Wise County?

Yes. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm based in Denton, Texas, and we represent injured construction workers and their families throughout Wise County, including Rhome and the surrounding communities. We handle construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at (940) 800-2500. The attorneys responsible for this content are licensed in Texas and practice from our principal office in Denton, Texas.

More Resources for Rhome, TX