Three workers were killed and another was hurt on Oct. 5 after a stairwell collapsed in a 15-story building that is under construction in the City Centre area of West Houston. The building is being constructed as the Houston headquarters for Marathon Oil. It is near Town & Country Boulevard and the I-10 Katy Freeway.
Officials said 240 workers were on site at the time of the stairwell collapse. However, after the collapse, officials warned the building was too unstable to enter.
The stairwell that collapsed was a “precast interior” staircase made of concrete. The stairs were constructed to look like they were floating, a New York Times report explained. The collapse began at the 13th or 14th floor and continued down to the first floor, the Houston Fire Department reported.
The Marathon Oil office was supposed to open to employees in the latter half of 2021. Public Works Department inspectors had visited the site earlier Monday and found no “red flag,” the Times reported.
ABC13 reported that Harvey Builders was in charge of the project. A company spokesperson gave this statement regarding the stairway collapse:
“Harvey Builders is working with the Houston Fire Department, our subcontractor East Texas Precast, and Hines, the project’s development manager, to investigate a fatal accident involving the collapse of a stairway on the construction site of the future Houston headquarters of Marathon Oil. Construction is an inherently dangerous activity and in recognition of this Harvey and its subcontractors observe very strict protocols on every project. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with each of the families involved during this difficult time.”
Legal Rights of Workers and Surviving Family Members
No workers should be expected to put their lives on the line at a construction site. General contractors, subcontractors, project managers, and property owners are all responsible for maintaining a safe work environment. When that doesn’t happen and tragedy strikes, these parties should be held accountable.
Family members can and should demand justice when a construction accident takes the life of a loved one. At The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, we help families get through these difficult times. We understand that no amount of money can turn back the clock, but a fair settlement can spare a family from financial hardships they should not have to face.
If you have lost a loved one in a construction accident and are ready to talk about your legal options, please contact us now. Talking to an attorney is free, and you do not pay any fees unless we recover money for your family.
