Fatal Scaffolding Collapse at Port Arthur LNG Site Kills Three Workers

Three Houston-area men tragically died and two others were injured after scaffolding collapsed at the Port Arthur LNG construction site in Sabine Pass in late April 2025. Families of the victims have already filed wrongful death lawsuits against multiple energy companies and contractors. If you or someone you love has been affected by a fatal workplace incident, a Sugar Land, TX wrongful death lawyer can help you understand your legal options.

What Happened at the Port Arthur LNG Site

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on a Tuesday morning at the construction site along Gulfway Drive in Sabine Pass, roughly 100 miles from Houston. Workers employed by contractor Bechtel were on a scaffolding structure when it unexpectedly gave way during what has been described as a “tank jump form system incident at elevation.” Three men died:

• Felix Jose Lopez, 42, of Pearland
• Felipe Mendez, 25, of Houston
• Reginald Magee, 41, also of Houston

Two other workers suffered serious injuries.

The Lawsuits and Who Is Named

Within days, families of two of the deceased workers and one survivor filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Harris County District Court. The defendants include ConocoPhillips, Port Arthur LNG LLC, Sempra, and several affiliated entities. A separate lawsuit was filed in Jefferson County on behalf of the Magee family.

The lawsuits allege that the deaths and injuries were caused by ongoing negligent activity within areas the defendants controlled. Plaintiffs are seeking over $1 million in monetary relief or an amount to be determined by a jury. The claims also include a request for punitive damages based on allegations of gross negligence.

Attorneys representing the families also secured a temporary restraining order to preserve conditions at the site so that evidence would not be disturbed during the investigation.

Why Scaffolding Incidents Remain So Dangerous

Scaffolding collapses are not rare events. According to OSHA, millions of construction workers operate on scaffolds, and incidents causing injury or death commonly result from support failures, absent fall protection, or being struck by falling objects.

The most frequent causes of scaffolding accidents include:

• Planking or structural support giving way
• Workers slipping or losing their footing
• Absence of guardrails or fall protection systems
• Being struck by tools or materials falling from above
• Improper scaffold assembly or overloading
• Failure to conduct pre-shift safety inspections

Many of these failures are preventable through compliance with OSHA standards, proper training, and regular inspections. 

Wrongful Death Claims Under Texas Law

Texas law provides a legal path for surviving family members when a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence. Under Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a wrongful death action can be brought by a surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased.

Recoverable damages in these cases may include:

• Loss of earning capacity
• Mental anguish and emotional suffering
• Loss of companionship and society
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of inheritance
• Exemplary damages in cases of gross negligence

These lawsuits are separate from any workers’ compensation claim the injured person may have had. And they serve a different purpose. They hold the responsible parties accountable and seek to compensate families for both economic and personal losses that will follow them for the rest of their lives.

Protecting Your Family’s Rights After a Workplace Death

No amount of money replaces a life. But holding negligent companies accountable matters for the families left behind, and it matters for every worker still climbing scaffolding at the next job site. A wrongful death lawyer Sugar Land, TX families trust can evaluate liability, identify all responsible parties, and pursue the full scope of damages available under the law.

Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers represents families across Texas who have lost loved ones to preventable workplace incidents. If your family is dealing with the aftermath of a fatal construction accident or industrial site failure, contact us to discuss your case and learn what options may be available to you.