Port Arthur LNG Scaffolding Collapse: Families Intensify Legal Push, Subpoena Emergency Agencies

The devastating scaffolding collapse at the Port Arthur LNG construction site on April 29, 2025, has triggered a fierce legal battle as grieving families seek answers and accountability. With three lives tragically lost and others injured, the pursuit of justice has intensified, marked by a recent wave of subpoenas targeting emergency agencies involved in the immediate aftermath of the incident. This legal maneuver underscores the families’ determination to uncover the truth behind the collapse and hold all responsible parties accountable.

The Human Cost of the Port Arthur LNG Scaffolding Collapse

The collapse claimed the lives of three construction workers: Reginald Magee, Felix Jose Lopez, and Felipe Mendez. These men, all from the Houston area, were working on a scaffolding structure at the Port Arthur LNG site when it suddenly gave way, sending them plummeting approximately 85 feet. Lopez and Mendez were pronounced dead at the scene, while Magee succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Two other workers sustained injuries but did not fall from the scaffolding.

The impact of this tragedy extends far beyond the immediate victims. Reginald Magee, a married father of two, had children eagerly anticipating their summer break with him. Felix Jose Lopez, in his early 40s, left behind four children, including his 21-year-old son, Felix Jr., who witnessed his father’s fatal fall while working alongside him at the construction site. Felipe Mendez, just 25 years old, was a new father to a six-month-old daughter.

Intensifying Legal Action: Subpoenas Issued to Emergency Agencies

In their quest for answers, attorneys representing the families of the deceased and injured workers have intensified their legal efforts by serving subpoenas to three key emergency agencies: the Sabine Pass Fire Department, the Port Arthur Fire Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. These subpoenas demand the production of a wide range of documents and records related to the incident, including:

Incident reports
Audio recordings
Video footage
Photographs
911 call logs
Dispatch records
Body cam footage

This legal strategy is a crucial part of the discovery process, allowing the families’ legal teams to gather critical evidence from external sources, independent of the companies named in the lawsuits. By obtaining these records, the attorneys aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to, during, and immediately following the scaffolding collapse.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Filed, Alleging Negligence

In the wake of the tragedy, multiple wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against various entities involved in the Port Arthur LNG project. These lawsuits allege negligence on the part of the companies responsible for ensuring worker safety at the construction site. Defendants named in the suits include:

ConocoPhillips Company
Port Arthur LNG
Sempra Infrastructure
Bechtel Energy Inc.

The lawsuits claim that the defendants failed to provide a safe working environment, leading to the preventable deaths and injuries of the construction workers. Specific allegations include:

Failure to properly inspect and maintain the scaffolding structure
Negligence in crane operations near the scaffolding
Inadequate safety training and supervision
Cutting corners on safety protocols to save time and money

Ryan Zehl, an attorney representing the families of Felipe Mendez and Felix Lopez, stated that the collapse was “tragic and preventable.” He emphasized the families’ desire to understand how their loved ones could have died in such a manner and to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence.

Concerns Over Evidence Preservation and Site Integrity

Adding another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings, concerns have been raised regarding the preservation of evidence at the accident site. The Bernsen Law Firm, representing the family of Reginald Magee, has expressed concerns that Bechtel may have moved equipment and potentially altered the accident site despite a temporary restraining order in place to preserve all evidence for investigative purposes.

These concerns prompted a hearing before Jefferson County Judge Mitch Templeton, who emphasized the importance of cooperation from all parties to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. Depositions are expected to commence soon, and a ruling is pending on whether Bechtel violated the restraining order.

OSHA Investigation and Bechtel’s Internal Review

In addition to the legal actions pursued by the families, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched its own investigation into the scaffolding collapse. OSHA’s investigation aims to determine whether any safety violations occurred and whether Bechtel or other responsible parties failed to comply with federal safety regulations.

Bechtel has also initiated an internal review of the incident, vowing to “understand exactly what went wrong and ensuring we do everything possible to prevent it from ever happening again.” The company has temporarily suspended work at the Port Arthur LNG construction site to conduct safety stand-downs and verify the safety of all construction areas.

The Importance of Workplace Safety and Accountability

The Port Arthur LNG scaffolding collapse serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of workplace safety and accountability in the construction industry. Construction sites, particularly large-scale projects like the Port Arthur LNG terminal, inherently pose risks to workers. Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to implement comprehensive safety measures, including:

Regular safety training for all workers
Frequent inspections of scaffolding and other temporary structures
Provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
Clear emergency response plans
A workplace culture that encourages workers to report hazards without fear of retaliation

When companies fail to prioritize worker safety and cut corners on safety protocols, the consequences can be devastating. The families of the victims of the Port Arthur LNG scaffolding collapse are determined to hold the responsible parties accountable and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

Legal Options for Injured Workers and Families

In Texas, workers injured on the job may be entitled to compensation through workers’ compensation benefits. However, in cases involving gross negligence or third-party liability, workers or their families may pursue additional legal avenues, such as personal injury lawsuits or wrongful death claims.

These lawsuits can provide compensation for a variety of damages, including:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Funeral expenses
Loss of companionship

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, it is essential to seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and pursue the compensation you deserve.

A Community Mourns and Seeks Justice

The Port Arthur LNG scaffolding collapse has left a deep scar on the community, particularly in Southeast Texas, where many residents work in the refinery and construction industries. The community mourns the loss of life and stands in solidarity with the families seeking justice.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the collapse, holding the responsible parties accountable, and ensuring that measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The families’ relentless pursuit of justice serves as a testament to the enduring power of love, resilience, and the unwavering determination to seek accountability in the face of unimaginable loss.