Construction Accidents in San Angelo: Beyond Workers’ Comp

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in Texas, and San Angelo is no exception. While workers’ compensation is often the first system people hear about after an on-the-job injury, it is not always the only option. In Texas, where many employers are non-subscribers and construction sites often involve multiple contractors, injured workers and their families may have legal remedies beyond workers’ comp, including third-party negligence claims and lawsuits against non-subscriber employers. 

This blog explains how these situations arise, what Texas law says, and how a San Angelo law firm like Webb, Stokes & Sparks evaluates the full scope of recovery available after a construction or industrial accident.

Understanding Construction Accident Risks in San Angelo

Construction plays a major role in the growth of San Angelo and broader West Texas. From highway expansion and oilfield development to commercial buildings and infrastructure upgrades, workers face some of the most dangerous conditions in the state.

OSHA and the Texas Department of Insurance consistently classify construction as a high-risk field. Texas historically ranks among the top states for construction-related fatalities, with falls, electrocutions, being struck by heavy machinery, and trench collapses among the most common causes. These dangers are prevalent on:

• Road construction and maintenance projects
• Industrial and energy facilities
• Commercial construction sites
• Oilfield and pipeline projects
• Residential developments

The nature of these environments means that a single accident can involve multiple companies, subcontractors, heavy equipment suppliers, or transportation providers, each of which may share responsibility for safety.

This complexity is a key reason injured workers often need help determining whether they can pursue a claim outside the workers’ compensation system.

How Workers’ Compensation Should Work in Texas

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance program that provides limited benefits for medical care, wage replacement, and, in fatal cases, death and burial benefits. When an employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, employees usually cannot sue that employer directly for negligence. This is known as the exclusive remedy rule.

Under this rule, workers’ comp generally becomes the only remedy against the direct employer—but it does not necessarily protect:

• Other companies on the job site
• Equipment manufacturers
• Property owners
• Transportation companies
• Independent contractors

And because Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ comp, the system does not always apply.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents in San Angelo

Construction accident claims, whether workers’ comp or third-party, often involve specific hazards that recur across job sites. Some of the most common include:

Falls from Heights

Scaffolding collapses, unprotected roof edges, faulty ladders, and unsecured openings can cause severe or fatal injuries.

Electrocutions

Texas construction workers regularly encounter energized lines, temporary wiring, and underground utilities.

Struck-By Incidents

Workers are frequently struck by cranes, dump trucks, forklifts, falling materials, or swinging loads.

Caught-In/Between Incidents

Trench collapses, equipment rollovers, and machinery entanglements often result in catastrophic harm.

Oilfield and Industrial Hazards

San Angelo’s proximity to energy operations means some “construction” work involves drilling sites, pipelines, and industrial facilities.

Why Construction Accident Claims Are Complex

Unlike many single-party accidents, construction cases involve complex relationships, insurance carriers with competing interests, and overlapping safety regulations.

1. Multiple Contractors and Subcontractors

Sorting out who controlled what requires detailed review of:

• Contracts
• Safety plans
• Site logs
• OSHA findings
• Job roles and responsibilities

2. OSHA Regulations and Safety Standards

While OSHA violations do not automatically create civil liability, they can be compelling evidence that a party failed to provide a safe workplace. Examples include:

• Missing guardrails
• Lack of fall protection
• Inadequate trench shoring
• Improper lockout/tagout procedures
• Failure to train workers on equipment

3. Texas’ Exclusive Remedy Rule vs. Negligence Law

Determining whether the employer is a subscriber or non-subscriber dramatically affects legal options. This is one of the first issues Webb, Stokes & Sparks investigates when evaluating a potential claim.

4. Severe Injuries and Long-Term Effects

Construction and industrial accidents often cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spine injuries
• Crush injuries
• Burns
• Amputations
• Fatal injuries

These injuries require extensive medical documentation, long-term care assessments, and vocational evaluations, areas in which the firm has deep experience.

Legal Options Beyond Workers’ Comp

Because Texas allows more flexibility than most states, an injured worker may have several avenues for recovery:

1. Workers’ Compensation Claim

When available, workers’ comp provides medical care and partial wage replacement. However, it does not fully compensate for pain, physical limitations, or the long-term impact on a worker’s life.

/2. Third-Party Injury Claim

If any third party contributed to the unsafe condition, a civil negligence claim may allow significantly greater compensation.

3. Lawsuit Against a Non-Subscriber Employer

Non-subscriber claims allow injured workers to seek full damages when the employer failed to provide a safe workplace.

4. Product Liability Claim

If faulty equipment contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or distributor may be liable under Texas product liability law.

5. Wrongful Death Claim

Families of workers killed on the job may pursue claims depending on the employer’s coverage status and any third-party negligence involved.

Construction Accident Examples Where “Beyond Workers’ Comp” May Apply

Without discussing specific cases, examples of situations that commonly involve legal options beyond workers’ comp include:

• A subcontractor fails to secure overhead materials, causing them to fall on a worker from another company.
• A general contractor ignores repeated warnings about a trench with no shoring.
• A crane collapses due to a design defect or mechanical failure.
• A delivery truck backs over a worker while dropping off materials.
• A ladder or scaffold collapses due to a manufacturing defect.
• An employer with no workers’ comp coverage fails to provide proper fall protection.

These examples often require specialized investigation, and Webb, Stokes & Sparks has extensive experience handling similar scenarios.

Why Construction Accident Victims Choose Webb, Stokes & Sparks

Webb, Stokes & Sparks is a trusted San Angelo law firm known for representing workers seriously injured in construction and industrial accidents. With decades of combined experience and a strong local presence, the firm brings:

• Deep familiarity with West Texas construction sites and employers
• A reputation for thorough investigations and strong litigation work
• Knowledge of OSHA standards and workplace safety issues
• Proven experience handling third-party claims and non-subscriber cases
• Compassionate representation for injured workers and families

The firm’s dedication to the community and to protecting workers’ rights has made Webb, Stokes & Sparks a leading personal injury firm in the region. 

Conclusion

Construction accidents in San Angelo involve complex laws, multiple responsible parties, and dangerous work environments. Workers’ compensation is just one piece of the picture, and in Texas, it doesn’t always apply. Between non-subscriber employers, subcontractor negligence, equipment failures, and unsafe worksite conditions, many injured workers may have options beyond workers’ comp that can significantly affect their financial and physical recovery.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance tailored to your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.