Chicago Excavation Accident Attorneys

Excavation is a dangerous activity for several reasons. Injuries in trench and excavation accidents can be severe and, in some cases, may result in death.

When you or a family member has been injured in a construction accident, you are likely facing prohibitive costs in terms of medical care and lost wages from missed work.

You may be able to receive financial compensation for your injuries in an excavation accident lawsuit. If the case settles or the court rules in your favor, you can be paid damages.

To obtain compensation, you will need an experienced excavation accident attorney to fight for you since the party responsible for your injuries will not simply admit fault.

The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC have a strong track record of recovering compensation for clients with severe injuries related to their construction work. Contact our construction accident lawyers at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation.

Preventing Excavation Accidents That Happen at Construction Sites

When workers dig at a construction job site, unknown factors may not become apparent until it is too late. Here is some of what can go wrong in an excavation job:

• Underground utilities- An excavator can be digging underground and not know the location of underground utilities. It can result in the risk of electrocution, or the excavator could strike something that may cause the excavator to tip over. It occurs when the employer has not planned before beginning the excavation because they should know what is underground.
• Tip-overs or strikes- The actual excavator in use may be defective. Numerous people are at risk when it happens, including those operating the machine and those in the area. The defect can cause the excavator to tip over, or it can cause the excavator to strike someone near the excavator.
• Collapses- If the area is not properly surveyed or the excavator has not been given proper instructions, there is a risk of trench collapses. This serious accident can bury the worker or excavator operator under the soil or cause a wall to collapse on top of the person digging under it. One common type of collapse in this area is a trench collapse.

Protective systems and soil analysis can prevent soil movement in trench walls, trench boxes, and other areas. Otherwise, soil cave-ins from collapsing trench walls with excavated soil areas, exit trenches, or other areas could happen-especially in an unprotected trench.

Collapsing Trenches

Trenching and excavation are extremely dangerous and must be monitored with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) General Trenching guidelines and standards to ensure worker safety. Any contact with underground utility lines could be deadly to unsuspecting workers and those operating heavy machines exposed to toxic gases.

One cubic yard of dry soil weighs about one ton. Any trench cave-in or dumping of raised loads around workers could be catastrophic on construction sites.

Areas to be trenched by heavy equipment should be inspected daily for worker entry into the area. Equipment operators and dump truck drivers should wear safety gear and use an effective protective system, like rollover guards, to eliminate excavation hazards.

Call us for a free consultation on OSHA standards related to excavations and trenching. We have a good grasp of OSHA related to excavations and can help ensure the elimination of risks.

Normal risks workers face include toxic fumes, trench falls, low oxygen, no safety materials, and other hazards with excavation and trenching at the site location.

Types of Excavation Injuries Sustained by Construction Workers

Many of the excavation accident cases that our lawyers handle involve serious injuries that give rise to a workers' compensation or personal injury claim. Below are some injuries that our law firm has handled.

• Crush Injuries - One of the common injuries from excavation accidents is a crush-type injury. Even a small collapse can result in a broken bone or other serious injuries.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries - Accident victims risk a traumatic brain injury. Any head injury can cause permanent brain damage, resulting in cognitive deficiencies or loss of bodily function.
• Fractures - One injured in a trench or excavation accident on a construction site can suffer a fracture.
• Death - If a family member is fatally injured in an excavation accident on a construction site, survivors can pursue a wrongful death claim against the construction company or contractors.

Trench workers and other employees face huge risks and safety dangers within the trenches and excavations, even for a competent person. Excavating and trenching require workers to learn about the trench and excavations they are placed in thoroughly, including all materials.

If they fail to take trenches and trench safety seriously, their health and life could be at risk while excavating soil. Talk to us about OSHA standards to learn more about trenches, excavating, and what a competent person can do to stay safe in a trench.

Possible Damages Available in an Excavation Accident for Construction Worker

The more severe injuries that you have suffered, the higher your likely financial award may be in a settlement or jury verdict. Here are some of the damages that an injured party can recover in an excavation accident:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages for both past and future earnings
• Medical bills
• Mental anguish

Your state's health agency and OSHA should have rules for workers operating in a trench or an angle-inclined work site, including soil classification, training for workers, required equipment, and more.

How Much Is My Excavation Injury Case Worth?

Construction workers face many excavation hazards and occupational safety risks at an excavation site and in the construction industry. These can include trench collapses; trench wall failure; deficient protective systems; cave-ins; loose trench edges; etc.

If any materializes, construction workers can get hurt at the job site, excavation site, or broadly in their excavation work and operations. They can bring a legal claim for the harm and damages that arise.

In fact, personal injury cases are common for trenching accidents and worker fatalities. The worth of such cases can include money for your pain, medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Our lawyers are experts in preventing construction project excavation accidents, including cave-ins, trenching, and excavation breaches. We can analyze the excavation work to see if the cave-ins or other accidents could have been prevented.

Have You or a Loved one Been Injured in an Excavation Accident? Get Legal Help Now

Call the attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC at (888) 424-5757 for your free no-risk consultation for your potential excavating injury lawsuit.

We can also inform you about the legal process that must be followed for you to receive financial compensation for your damages.

We are only paid if you successfully achieve financial recovery for your injuries.

Contact us at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Resources:

• About Excavation | CDC
• Work-Inclined Excavation Deaths on the Rise | OSHA