Most construction projects require some sort of trenching, digging, or excavation work. Construction sites use trenches to build foundations for all types of buildings, install underground utilities, bury electrical wires, or access underground areas. Although excavation work is critical to the success of many building projects, people who work in or near trenches can face dangerous risks.
If you experienced harm or lost your loved one due to trench work, you might be eligible to pursue compensation. A knowledgeable Las Vegas trench accident lawyer at Shook & Stone could meet with you to review your legal rights and options.
Most Common Causes of Trench Accidents
A wide variety of factors can contribute to a trench accident. Sadly, many of these accidents are preventable and could have been avoided if the construction company in charge of the project adhered to industry standards established by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Failure to use the correct equipment, machinery, and tools can result in devastating accidents. Another common problem is the lack of proper training. Inexperienced and untrained workers should not be the people responsible for assessing the ground to see if it is appropriate for excavation, nor should inexperienced workers be the people actually digging the trenches. While employees are working in trenches, they should receive constant supervision in case a problem occurs.
Our dedicated legal team at Shook & Stone could carefully review the evidence from the accident. They could speak with people familiar with the construction project to learn about what happened on the day of the accident, including the procedures taken by workers immediately prior to the accident. Our attorneys could also review the contractor or construction company’s employee manuals to learn about their hiring and training practices to learn about whether they had performed background checks on their workers or provided proper training before sending them out to excavate or work in trenches.
Types of Accidents Occurring in Trenches
The most frequently seen types of trench accidents in Las Vegas are as follows:
- Cave-ins or collapses – Workers caught in a trench collapse can be crushed or buried. Trench cave-ins can occur quickly and not leave workers with any time or room to escape.
- Tools, equipment, or even rocks left at the top and too close to the edge of a trench can fall into the trench and strike and injure a worker
- Falling into a trench, which can occur if the trench is not stabilized, fenced off, or guarded
- Striking buried electrical wires and cables could result in electrocution
- Striking underground gas lines could cause fires or explosions
- Striking buried plumbing or excavating too low could pose a risk of flooding a trench, which could cause workers to drown
- A buildup of gases in improperly ventilated trenches could lead to an acute suffocation risk or to the development of chronic lung or respiratory problems
At Shook & Stone, our Las Vegas attorneys have a strong record of success with helping people injured in all types of trench accidents. Our lawyers understand what accident survivors and their families need to help them through this challenging time.
Talk to a Las Vegas Trench Accident Attorney Now
Due to the nature of the work, trench accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or death. However, most of these accidents should never occur. With proper training, tools, supervision, and site preparation, many contractors, property owners, and developers could prevent them.
If you experienced an injury or lost your loved one in a preventable trench accident, you might be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits and possibly file a third-party lawsuit for additional compensation. Talk to a Las Vegas trench accident lawyer who knows how to handle all types of claims. Our team could fight hard for you. Call now for a free consultation.
