OSHA is already investigating the fatal tar spill at Martin Asphalt in South Houston, and surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim under Texas law.
Get Connected Now →Losing a family member in a workplace accident is devastating. When a loved one goes to work and does not come home, the grief is immediate, but the questions that follow can be overwhelming. Who was responsible? Were safety protocols ignored? Was proper equipment in place? These are not just emotional questions. They are legal ones, and the answers may shape what options your family has going forward.
Fatal industrial incidents like the tar spill at Martin Asphalt often involve layers of responsibility, from facility operators to equipment manufacturers to third-party contractors. Families are frequently left to navigate insurance adjusters, employer statements, and confusing paperwork during the most difficult period of their lives. HurtMatch connects affected families with experienced Texas personal injury attorneys who handle exactly these kinds of cases, at no upfront cost to you.
Under Texas law, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. An attorney can review your specific situation to determine who qualifies and what claims may be available.
OSHA investigations can produce findings, citations, and documented evidence of safety violations that may be relevant to a civil legal claim. However, OSHA outcomes and civil cases are separate proceedings. An attorney can advise on how investigative findings may factor into your case.
Texas generally allows two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline can bar the family from pursuing compensation entirely, which is why connecting with an attorney as soon as possible is important.
Texas workers compensation rules are complex and do not always bar all third-party claims. Depending on whether the employer was a covered Texas workers compensation employer and whether third parties such as contractors or equipment manufacturers were involved, additional claims may be possible. An attorney familiar with Texas industrial accident law can evaluate the full picture.
HurtMatch is a free referral service, and the attorneys in our network handle wrongful death and personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fee is charged unless they win your case. There is no cost to you to get connected and have your situation evaluated.