In a matter of seconds, a trench collapse could bury a worker in thousands of pounds of soil and other materials, causing severe or even deadly injuries. It is critical for construction companies to follow the federal safety regulations that are in place to prevent trench collapses. Unfortunately, this is not always the reality.
At FVF Law, our work injury attorneys have one goal – to help you. We will discuss with you potential legal strategies after learning about your unique situation. We provide no-pressure consultations so that you get the information you need to make an informed decision. We want to get to know you so that we can help you move forward.
A trench collapse is a dangerous situation where the walls of a hole or pit that has been dug at a construction site suddenly cave in, potentially trapping the workers beneath heavy dirt, soil, debris or other materials. Trenches are used often in construction projects for installing pipelines, repairing waterlines and creating building foundations.
Many well-known risk factors contribute to trench collapses each year, yet these disasters continue to occur. In just the first six months of 2022, 22 workers died in trench-related accidents – surpassing the 15 deaths that occurred in all of 2021. Sadly, Texas often leads the country each year in the number of trench collapses reported.
Trench collapses can be caused by a variety of safety issues, including:
Excavation and trenching hazards can be prevented if everyone involved – especially those in charge, such as the construction company – follows the rules enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The failure to adhere to these rules and other acts of negligence increases the risk of trench collapse disasters.
Trench collapses are serious incidents that can severely injure and kill workers. Being buried or crushed by thousands of pounds of materials in an instant can inflict life-threatening wounds, such as broken bones, internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Preventing collapse is the only way to protect workers.
If an employer, supervisor, manager, inspector or another party responsible for the safety of trenches is negligent, or fails to act with proper care, this party could be held liable or legally responsible for a worker’s related injury or death.
Proving fault for a trench collapse requires evidence against the defendant, such as witness statements, photographs and videos, inspection reports, construction company compliance records, proof of OSHA safety violations, and medical and police documentation.
A trench collapse can change a worker’s life forever – or tragically cut it short. The attorneys at FVF Law are passionate about helping accident victims rebuild, recover and restore their lives as much as possible. With over a century of combined legal experience, we have what you need for the best chance at recovery.
You may be able to recover through a workers’ compensation claim, work injury lawsuit, product liability claim or another type of case. Our lawyers will review your unique case and legal options during a no-cost consultation, where you can receive tailored legal advice and support at no obligation to hire us. If a trench collapse turned your world upside down, we’re here to help.
