While most other states require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, Texas does not. While such insurance typically provides limited benefits to victims of construction accidents and other work-related incidents, injured workers in Texas can pursue financial relief through the civil justice system of the state. A victim of a 2018 natural gas explosion decided to take such steps.
According to court documents, the plaintiff suffered severe burn injuries in an explosion last June. He was a member of a construction crew working at Central Texas hospital. Reportedly, he was one of 13 workers who suffered injuries in the incident that claimed the lives of three of their colleagues. None of the medical staff or the patients in the hospital were injured.
The lawsuit alleges that the defending energy company did not adequately maintain the hospital’s natural gas system, nor did they ensure that the gas had a recognizable odor that would warn workers of a leak. Although investigators could not determine the source of ignition that led to the explosion, they concluded that disconnected gas lines allowed the flow of the deadly gas into a boiler room. In defense, the utility company denies the presence of leaks and contends that regulated odorant levels were maintained.
Workers in Texas are not guaranteed compensation for medical expenses and lost wages after construction accidents. For this reason, many victims choose to utilize the skills of an attorney who is experienced in fighting for the rights of injured workers. A lawyer can navigate the legal proceedings in pursuit of recovery of financial and emotional damages, including the costs related to future medical treatment of therapy and lost wages.
