Important Facts About Work Accidents
Workplace accidents are more than just statistics—they’re stories of lives forever changed. Behind every number is a person dealing with pain, financial uncertainty, and a long road to recovery. The reality is that many of these incidents could have been avoided. From ignored safety protocols to broken equipment, the root cause often lies in preventable failures. Employers have a legal and moral obligation to keep workers safe.
When they don’t, the consequences are devastating—and accountability becomes critical.
BLS statistics from 2023 demonstrate the danger of injuries in the workplace:
- A work-related injury claimed a person's life every 99 minutes.
- Transportation incidents were the leading cause of occupational fatalities.
- Construction saw the most fatalities of any private industry sector.
- 946,500 reported on-the-job injuries resulted in days away from work.
- Fall protection and prevention was the most violated OSHA standard.
Common San Antonio Workplace Accidents
San Antonio’s diverse economy includes construction, manufacturing, warehousing, oilfield operations, and healthcare—industries known for high rates of workplace accidents. Major employers in the region include oilfield service companies, logistics and trucking firms, aerospace manufacturers, and industrial facilities along the I‑35 and I‑10 corridors. Workers in these fields routinely face risks like heavy equipment accidents, exposure to hazardous materials, and falls from heights on job sites throughout Bexar County and beyond.
Common job-related hazards in San Antonio include:
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or roofs at construction sites.
- Crush injuries from machinery or materials at warehouses and plants.
- Vehicle accidents involving delivery trucks, oil tankers, or commercial rigs.
- Overexertion and repetitive motion injuries in manufacturing jobs.
- Chemical exposure and burns in oil and gas or laboratory settings.
With thousands of active job sites in and around San Antonio, especially in fast-growing areas like Alamo Ranch and Brooks, it's no surprise that serious work injuries remain a major concern.
Industrial Accidents in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio is home to a range of industrial employers, from aerospace manufacturers like Boeing and Lockheed Martin to food processors, refineries, and power generation facilities. The city’s strategic location along major highways and rail corridors also means increased trucking, warehousing, and oilfield activity.
Industrial accidents in San Antonio frequently involve:
- Explosions and fires at manufacturing plants.
- Electrocutions from ungrounded wiring or power lines.
- Falls and crushed limbs from conveyor systems and heavy machinery.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or gases in confined spaces.
- Equipment malfunctions due to poor maintenance or rushed production schedules.
When employers cut corners to meet quotas or reduce downtime, it puts lives at risk. Our San Antonio industrial accident lawyers investigate the root cause to hold companies accountable when they fail to protect their workers.
Detailed Overview of Common San Antonio Workplace Injuries
Virtually all work accidents are preventable. It is far more likely for workers to sustain injuries if employers fail to provide safety guidelines or safety equipment to workers. Regardless of the industry, any worker can be exposed to severe workplace hazards. Depending on the severity, these injuries can require extensive medical treatment.
Countless catastrophic injuries can occur on the job, including:
Injuries sustained in the workplace can range from minor cuts to debilitating conditions that require long-term medical attention. The consequences of these injuries extend beyond physical harm, often affecting the emotional and financial well-being of the individual and their family. Workers might face extended periods of recovery, impacting their ability to earn an income. Rehabilitation processes can be arduous, requiring consistent medical care and potentially leading to substantial financial strain. It is vital for injured workers to understand their rights, including access to medical benefits and compensation that can aid in their recovery and financial stability during such challenging times.
Recognizing Common Causes of San Antonio Work Accidents
Negligent or inexperienced employers cause most workplace accidents. Negligent employers and even co-workers can put other workers in danger—especially if they fail to provide a safe working environment.
Many forms of negligence can result in injuries, including:
- Equipment Failure: Some of the most dangerous equipment is usually industrial and electrical equipment.
- Falling Objects and Flying Debris: Falling debris can cause serious injuries, especially head injuries. These commonly occur on construction sites, logging sites, factories, warehouses, and shipyards.
- Failure to Comply with Safety Regulations: OSHA has standards to help keep workers safe. Employers must obey these regulations in the workplace. When they don't, they can be held liable for the accidents they cause.
- Inadequate Inspections: Inspections should be performed on a regular basis to ensure equipment is working correctly and to reduce possible risks. Employers should inspect equipment such as ladders, scaffolds, and derricks.
- Insufficient Training: Employers are required to provide workers with adequate safety training so they can identify potential hazards in the workplace and know how to avoid them.
Workplace negligence encompasses a variety of practices that compromise safety. From failing to maintain equipment to disregarding established safety protocols, these oversights can have devastating impacts. Employers must cultivate a culture of safety where regular training and awareness campaigns become integral to daily operations. Employees, too, should be encouraged to voice safety concerns without fear of retaliation. Collective responsibility and proactive measures will significantly curtail the incidence of workplace accidents, saving both lives and resources.
Benefits & Compensation for San Antonio Work Accidents
In Texas, employers are not required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, making the legal path after a workplace accident more complicated than in other states. If your employer is a “non-subscriber,” you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them for negligence. Even if they do carry workers’ comp, you may still have a third-party claim.
Examples of third-party liability include:
- A subcontractor who left unsafe equipment on-site
- A property owner who failed to fix known hazards
- A manufacturer that produced defective tools or machines
While workers’ comp can provide basic benefits like medical care and a portion of lost wages, a personal injury lawsuit can seek full compensation, including complete lost wages and loss of future earnings, full medical costs and long-term rehabilitation, pain and suffering, emotional distress, home modifications or medical equipment, and wrongful death benefits for surviving family members.
We fight for more than the bare minimum. We pursue every available path to ensure our clients are made whole—physically, financially, and emotionally.
Serving Injured Workers in San Antonio. Call Us Today at (888) 493-1629!
Our San Antonio work accident attorneys have the skill and experience to fight for the best result. We have recovered billions of dollars, and we continue to work tirelessly to achieve the best results for every client. Our case history includes a $44 million verdict for a man who lost his leg in a construction site accident, a $39.7 million verdict for a man who was burned in a plywood plant, and back-to-back $18 million and $15 million verdicts for victims of a plant explosion. In short, our firm knows how to get results for workers. If you have sustained injuries on the job, our San Antonio work accident attorneys can review your case, assess the strengths and weaknesses, and develop a strong defense to win your case.
Contact our firm today at (888) 493-1629 to learn more about the ways a work accident lawyer in San Antonio can help.
