Port Arthur Scaffolding Collapse Causes 3 Deaths and 2 Injuries
May 9, 2025
Three workers are dead and two other workers sustained injuries after a scaffolding collapsed at the Port Arthur LNG site just off Highway 87. As KHOU 11 reported, there are hundreds of workers who are on-site 24/7 as construction is underway at the industrial facility.
What We Know About the Port Arthur Scaffolding Collapse Accident
The deadly scaffolding accident occurred on Tuesday, April 29th around 2:00am. Three of the workers fell from the collapsed scaffolding. Two of the workers who fell, Felipe Mendez and Felix Jose Lopez, were pronounced dead at the scene. The third worker who fell, Reginald Magee, succumbed to his injuries at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.
The two workers who survived the collapse did not fall from the scaffolding. They also sustained injuries, though their injuries were non-life-threatening.
The scaffolding collapse prompted an immediate work stoppage at the site.
An official statement from Bechtel Global Corporation acknowledged that “a tank jump form system incident occurred at elevation,” resulting in the three deaths and two injuries. Bechtel is the construction contractor at the Port Arthur LNG site. They are cooperating with authorities as the incident is under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Surviving Family Members Have Filed a Lawsuit for Damages
The family members of the deceased construction workers have filed a lawsuit seeking damages against Port Arthur LNG LLC, its parent company Sempra, and other business entities related to the incident. Houston Public Media noted that Bechtel, who employed the workers involved in the deadly scaffolding accident, was not named in the lawsuit.
The exact cause of the scaffolding collapse has yet to be determined.
Construction Workers Have Legal Options After a Serious Accident
Serious on-the-job accidents like these can happen at construction sites and industrial workplaces throughout the Greater Houston area. When these incidents happen, it’s a reminder to us about the importance of worksite safety and why it’s crucial to speak with an injury lawyer about what happened. You may be entitled to more than just workers’ compensation after a construction accident. An experienced attorney can let you know if it’s worth pursuing a third-party work injury claim and who can be held liable.
If you are a Houston worker who was seriously injured on the job, The de la Garza Law Group can help you. Our bilingual law firm can help English-speaking and Spanish-speaking workers who experienced serious injuries on the job.
Attorneys Mario de la Garza and Natasha Sadeghian de la Garza have more than 30 years of combined experience in personal injury and workplace injury law. If you are seriously hurt and unable to come to our law office in Southwest Houston, our lawyers can accommodate your needs so you can get strong legal counsel and guidance.
Discuss Your Workplace Accident with The de la Garza Law Group in Houston
Injured workers have nothing to lose simply by contacting The de la Garza Law Group. Your first consultation with us is free, and we are ready to answer any questions you may have.To set up your free case evaluation, contact The de la Garza Law Group today.
