Construction sites are booming in Texas, as the construction industry rakes in around $54 billion annually, just in Texas alone. As would be expected, such a large industry requires a comparably large workforce. Currently, approximately one out of every 13 workers in the state of Texas – or around 1 million workers in total – is involved in the construction industry.
Unfortunately, despite the large profits and significant number of people involved in the field, the Texas construction industry has remained largely unregulated in comparison to other states. As a result, the number of people who sustain personal injuries or are killed while working on construction sites is high in Texas.
According to a report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mortality among construction workers on the job is more prevalent in Texas than in any other state. In 2010, the BLS report found that there were 10.7 deaths per every 100,000 construction workers in the state. The standard U.S. rate was 8.8 deaths per 100,000 construction workers that year. In addition, Texas’ mortality rate was more than twice that of construction deaths in California, which was 5.2 per 100,000 workers.
Different regulatory and industry conditions are largely seen as the reason for this large divergence between states. Texas may be seen as a bastion of the “Wild West” mentality when it comes to industry and building projects as the state has resisted governmental oversight and its strict safety protocols at times.
Few other industries in Texas have such a high mortality rate, according to the BLS report. In 2010, the average fatality rate for workers in all industries in Texas was just 4.4 per every 100,000 workers.
In addition, construction workers in Texas are particularly at risk of sustaining personal injuries while on the job. The BLS report also suggested that 20 percent of Texas construction workers would be hospitalized at some point during their careers.
Construction workers who sustain injuries while on the job may be entitled to compensation to cover the damage caused. In addition, the family members of those who lose their lives in construction accidents may be able to recover by filing a wrongful death suit. In such situations, seeking the advice of a skilled personal injury attorney is a prudent step to ensure the injured party’s rights are protected.
