Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help Victims of Trench Collapse Accidents File Injury Claims
Trench collapse accidents are among the most common types of construction site accidents that occur in Arizona and elsewhere in the nation. These accidents can result in devastating personal injuries or death to workers. However, the unfortunate fact is that these trench collapse accidents can be easily prevented by following the safety standards spelled out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which monitors and investigates workplace accidents and injuries in the United States including construction site accidents.
According to a recent news report, a worker sustained a fractured leg and a broken pelvis when a dirt trench wall fell on him when he was helping to put down concrete sewer pipes. The worker was trapped in the trench because of his injuries. He was safely removed from the trench and treated for serious injuries. OSHA officials are investigating this incident. Officials issued a citation to the contracting firm for a safety violation that resulted in the accident, specifically, the absence of shoring in the area of the trench where the dirt wall fell.
OSHA requires that workers in trenches and excavations be protected, and that safety and health programs address the variety of hazards they face. Cave-ins are perhaps the most feared trenching hazard. But other potentially fatal hazards exist, including asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen in a confined space, inhalation of toxic fumes, drowning, electrocution or explosions. OSHA estimates that the fatality rate for excavation work is 112 percent higher than the rate for general construction.
If a trench collapse is caused as a result of negligence on the part of a contractor or sub-contractor, injured construction workers or families of deceased workers may be able to file additional claims for compensation. An experienced Arizona construction site accident lawyer can help guide injured victims or their families through a complex legal process and make sure their rights and best interests are protected.
