Who Can Be Responsible if an Occupied Texas Building Collapses?

When a building collapses with people inside, the impact is sudden and heartbreaking. In Texas, determining who might be legally responsible often comes down to how the structure was designed, maintained, or supervised. 

A Houston premises liability lawyer with The Doan Law Firm can walk through the details with care so you are not left sorting it out alone. If questions are piling up after a collapse, we are here to help you find answers.

Who May Be Held Liable for a Structural Collapse in Texas?

When a building comes down, it is rarely without warning. There is usually a breakdown somewhere along the line, whether in maintenance, construction, or oversight, that puts people at risk. 

Property Owners and Management Companies

Property owners are responsible for making sure the spaces they oversee are safe. When repairs are delayed, inspections are skipped, or warning signs are ignored, that responsibility can turn into liability. Management companies can also be held accountable if they fail to act on reports or neglect basic upkeep that could have prevented the collapse.

Construction or Engineering Teams Involved in the Build or Renovation

If the building was poorly constructed or improperly renovated, the companies involved in that work may be liable. This can include engineers who signed off on unsafe plans or contractors who used substandard materials. In some construction accident claims, it turns out that teams ignored clear structural warnings long before the building failed.

Conditions or Failures That Can Lead to a Collapse

Some buildings are already vulnerable long before anything gives way. The risk builds over time when structural concerns are ignored, inspections are missed, or shortcuts are taken during construction or repairs. Here are some of the most common problems that can lead to a devastating collapse:

• Deferred structural repairs
• Defective product use in key components
• Engineering miscalculations
• Code violations
• Improper permits or inspections
• Roof overload or foundation shift
• Fire or explosion
• Water damage from poor drainage
• Vibration or soil instability

These factors often overlap and make one another worse. In some cases, a property owner may try to limit their responsibility under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 75.002, which protects certain landowners from liability. 

But when an unlicensed or negligent engineer is involved, Tex. Occ. Code § 1001.401 allows claims based on engineering malpractice, especially in cases where those mistakes contributed to catastrophic injuries tied to a defective product.

Why Choose The Doan Law Firm for Complex Premises Liability Cases

Handling a collapse case is not like dealing with a typical accident. It takes a legal team that knows how to dig into the details and hold the right parties accountable. Here is what sets us apart:

• Decades of experience handling catastrophic injury claims
• 24/7 availability to meet or consult when it matters most
• Offices across Texas and a track record of large-scale verdicts

Find Out How Your Building Collapse Case May Be Handled in Texas

Your premises liability attorney in Texas with The Doan Law Firm can help identify who may be responsible when a building fails. Our team has handled complex structural collapse cases and knows how to piece together what went wrong. 
With the right investigation, it may be possible to hold property owners, builders, or others accountable. For more insight into your case, contact us to talk through the details.