Raul Ortega Cabrera Killed and 5 Others Injured in the Collapse of a Townhouse Under Construction

First responders were able to pull 5 of the workers from the rubble. Tragically, one worker, Raul Ortega Cabrera, didn’t make it out of the accident alive.

Monday afternoon, six construction workers who sought shelter in a 3-Storey townhouse under construction were trapped under debris when it collapsed.

Raul Ortega, a 35-year-old, a husband and father of two with a third baby on the way, lost his life in this tragic construction accident. He was actively involved in his kids’ soccer team and also played saxophone in a local band, Lobillos.

Storms and wind were in the area at the time of the accident however, it is unclear if the weather was a factor in the collapse. Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman, Jason Evans, said the construction company will be responsible for investigating what caused the 3-storey structure to collapse.

By Federal law, employers are required to notify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) when an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related injury requiring hospitalization. Because of this law, OSHA will likely conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident but it may be a long time until Ortega's family get their questions answered.

Housing construction is on the rise near Trinity Groves, the area where the collapse occurred. Housing developers are building single-family homes as well as townhomes.  Fidel Barrera, the supervisor with Texas Core Concrete, said his company was a contractor for Megatel Homes.

According to The Dallas News, a woman was spotted removing Megatel signs from the area around the collapse. They also reported that the person who answered the phone for Megatel Homes hung up and subsequent calls from them were unanswered.

The flags outside the construction site near Singleton Boulevard and Sylvan Avenue have been lowered in Ortega's honor.

If you've recently lost a loved one due to a work accident, we ask that you get in touch with our personal injury attorneys for a free consultation. We can help investigate your claims, answer your questions, and explain the options available to you moving forward for no cost.

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