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Trench Collapse Accidents (Part A)

Trenches are a necessary aspect of many construction endeavors. Unfortunately, this necessity does nothing to lessen the inherent danger that comes with the job. Occupational accidents and injuries happen regularly at construction sites, including a trench collapse accident or a fall. Often, trench accidents and their resulting injuries could have been prevented, but were not due to the negligence of some party.

Trench Collapse Accidents and the Resulting Injuries

A trench collapse accident can be caused by worker negligence, poorly dug trenches, failure to follow safety guidelines, or a number of other reasons. No matter what the cause of the accident may be, the results usually include serious or permanent injury or even death.

Some common trench collapse injuries include:

• Broken wrists
• Broken ankles
• Spinal injuries
• Hip and knee problems
• Nerve damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Cartilage tears
• Broken pelvis
• Broken back
• Rotator cuff tears

If you have suffered any of the abovementioned injuries or a related injury in a Chicago trench accident, it would be in your best interest to contact a Chicago personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to determine your legal options.

Trench Collapse Accident Causes and Prevention

As previously mentioned, there are many known causes of Chicago trench accidents. These causes have inspired a lengthy list of required precautions surrounding trenches. Unfortunately, these precautions are not always implemented; as a result, many workers are subjected to unreasonably dangerous work conditions.

Trench collapses can be caused by:

• Flooding;
• Improper shoring;
• Equipment defects;
• Machinery resting dangerously close to the trench;
• Inadequate safety equipment; and
• Poor digging.

You may notice that most of these dangers could be corrected if one simply took the time to do so. For this reason, those in charge of construction projects are required by federal law to take specific preventative measures. Thus, if you or a loved has been injured in a trench collapse accident, a Chicago personal injury lawyer may be able to assist you in gaining workers compensation for any such negligence.

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