Excavation accidents are almost always a catastrophe, leaving you or your coworkers with life-altering or fatal injuries. Sadly, these incidents are largely preventable. Construction work is dangerous, with hazards present throughout the worksite. When you suffer harm due to someone else’s carelessness, an experienced construction accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for your damages and losses.
Workers’ compensation covers injuries caused by your employer, but if a third party’s actions contributed, you can file a civil claim to seek a settlement. An experienced Chicago trench accident lawyer at Kaveny Sarmas can review your case and explain your options.
What Are the Primary Causes of Construction Ditch Accidents?
Construction ditch accidents on worksites often involve cave-ins, which have a high fatality rate. These occur when the walls of a conduit fail, burying workers under tons of soil. Such catastrophic events can occur unexpectedly, often with minimal warning. The leading causes of disastrous and often preventable worksite incidents may include the following.
Insufficient Protective Systems
The vertical walls of soil are usually unstable, and although they may initially hold under the right conditions, changes in moisture or disturbances can cause collapse. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforces safety standards to protect construction workers.
Protective methods include sloping, benching, shoring, or shields for all channels five feet or deeper. However, even shallow ones can be hazardous. A lack of these protective systems or improper installation causes most of these disasters.
Soil Instability
Unstable soil often results from soil type, moisture content, vibration from nearby equipment or traffic, or previous disturbances that weaken the ditch walls. An overnight storm or quick rain shower can cause instability in the walls. Misjudging soil stability or failing to classify it correctly can be fatal.
Inadequate Site Inspections
Soil properties change frequently, with moisture content and other environmental factors. Furthermore, whenever heavy equipment comes near a trench, an inspection of the walls is crucial. Our legal team will investigate the trench accident in Chicago and gather the critical evidence needed to prove fault.
Construction Negligence and Premises Liability Claims
While workers’ compensation covers injuries sustained at work, you may also have grounds to sue third-party contractors, often arising from construction negligence and premises liability. Injured workers, or their families if the accident was fatal, can pursue claims against responsible parties other than the employer.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a legal responsibility known as the duty of reasonable care. Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, a property owner becomes liable for your losses, including noneconomic damages, if they knew or should have known of hazardous conditions, such as unstable troughs, lack of barriers, or failure to warn you and others of the risks.
Construction Negligence
You could also have grounds for a lawsuit against third-party contractors or subcontractors if they control the work site and fail to act reasonably. They must exercise prudent care, and if they fail to do so and injuries occur, the civil court holds them financially accountable. Our attorneys will review all your potential options and answer any questions you have about pursuing compensation after a trench accident in Chicago.
Speak With Our Attorneys Today After an Excavation Accident in Chicago
Excavation disasters on job sites are often among the most devastating, resulting in life-threatening injuries and fatalities. If a third party’s negligence on your worksite caused you harm, they should pay your damages. We will investigate, gather crucial evidence, and handle the legal work, filings, communications, and negotiations so you can focus on recovery.
Call us today to schedule a consultation with a successful Chicago trench accident lawyer to review your case and options.
