Trenching Accident Attorneys in Atlanta

Trenches are often dug on construction sites to bury plumbing, electrical wires, and conduit, or to gain access to an underground area. While they are necessary, these excavation sites and trenches pose serious risks to workers who must enter and work in them, as well as anyone who works near them.

Even shallow trenches can be the source of catastrophic injuries or death if there are live wires, standing water, or dangerous tools in the excavated area. These can be devastating events that impact you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially.

If you or someone you care about has been injured or has died in a trenching or excavation accident in Atlanta or the surrounding area, the experienced accident attorneys at Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. can help. Contact our office immediately to schedule a free consultation.

Why Trenches and Excavation is Dangerous

According to OSHA‘s definition, an excavation is a man-made cut, depression, cavity, or trench in the earth that is formed by dirt removal. A trench is a certain type of excavation. Specifically, its depth is greater than its width, but the width of a trench at the bottom is no wider than 15″.

OSHA also reports that working in and around trenching and excavation projects is some of the most dangerous work related to construction. Roughly 100 people are killed and another 1,000 injured each year in trenching and excavation accidents.

There are many dangers associated with trenching and excavation. These include:

• Cave-ins. Cave-ins are the most common type of accident involving trenches. The walls of the trench can collapse, trapping workers or even burying them alive. Collapses and cave-ins are among the most common types of excavation accidents, killing an average of two construction workers per month. A trench collapse can crush or suffocate a worker under the weight of the soil. To help prevent this type of accident, OSHA requires that an engineer or another qualified professional analyzes the soil composition and develops a plan that ensures soil stability.
• Falls and Falling Loads. Trenches that aren’t properly marked can create a fall hazard for passing workers. This can also happen when a trench collapses and workers above fall into the trench. When a worker falls a great distance, it can result in severe injuries. The same holds true if heavy machinery or equipment strikes a worker inside the trench. When there isn’t proper communication with workers above, serious injury can occur from falling objects – either debris or equipment.
• Utility accidents. Crews working in trenches are often in proximity to gas, water, sewer, and electrical lines. A broken water or sewer line can quickly fill a trench and create a drowning scenario. Gas and electrical lines can create fire and explosion hazards as well as electrocution and burn injuries.
• Hazardous atmospheres. When working in an enclosed space, airflow is a serious concern. There can be pockets of carbon monoxide, methane, or other gases trapped underground that can be deadly to workers. Fumes from equipment can also lead to injury and death in a trench. It is the responsibility of contractors to have atmospheric testing performed, and if toxicity or low oxygen levels are present, they must have their workers wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Failure to do so can result in severe inhalation injuries.

Poor Safety Standards Results in Trenching Accidents

OSHA has implemented safety standards meant to prevent trench collapses and other dangerous accidents. Some of those standards include:

• Shoring the sides of ditches and trenches with beams, timber, or plates to ensure that the earth doesn’t collapse;
• Use a trench box system or shield to protect workers inside the trench from hazards; and
• Sloping the sides of the trench to reduce the weight of the soil that is pushing on the walls.

Even though there are strict regulations in place, too many employers either blatantly ignore them or become lax in an effort to cut costs or meet deadlines. Some examples of ways that poor safety standards have led to trench accidents include:

• Not requiring workers to wear safety equipment such as hard hats;
• Not providing a safe way to enter and exit the trench;
• Failing to test air quality in the trench for the presence of toxic gases;
• Failing to inspect a trench after rain; and
• Not prohibiting suspended loads or overhead work above the trench.

Injuries Suffered in Trenching Accidents

The types of injuries that can be caused by trenching accidents are varied. Depending on the severity of the accident, an injury might be relatively minor. But, many of these accidents are serious and so are the consequences for the workers involved. Some of the common injuries we see include:

• Brain (TBI) and spinal cord injuries. A tunnel or trench collapse can result in severe damage to the spinal cord or brain. Even a mild injury of this type can lead to long-term issues with movement, memory, speech, and concentration.
• Broken/fractured bones, crush injuries, amputations. Falls, cave-ins, and heavy equipment accidents often result in broken bones that could require multiple surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitation period.
• Organ damage. Lack of oxygen due to being buried alive or nearly drowning can cause organ damage.
• Burns from explosions, fires, electrocution, and chemical exposure are painful and could require extensive treatment.

Damages After a Trenching or Excavation Accident

If you’ve been injured in a trenching or excavation accident, you may be concerned about your welfare and future. If this happened at work, you likely have coverage under workers’ compensation.

Contractors and subcontractors in Georgia’s construction industry must carry workers’ compensation insurance. We can pursue benefits that will cover your medical care, a portion of your lost wages, and rehabilitation. We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve if an employer or their insurer isn’t willing to voluntarily provide these benefits

If the trench accident was caused by the negligence of someone other than your employer or a defective piece of equipment, we can also file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. This is in addition to your workers’ compensation case, and we’ll pursue other damages such as pain and suffering.

Speak With an Experienced Atlanta Trenching Accident Attorney

Filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in the wake of a trench collapse accident can seem overwhelming for many workers and their loved ones. Employers and their insurance companies, with their substantial resources, will strongly oppose any attempt to recover damages, but the attorneys at Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. are only focused on protecting your best interests.

Our experienced Georgia construction accident attorneys are highly knowledgeable regarding the complexities of trench collapse and excavation-related accidents. We have extensive experience litigating these cases and will pursue the responsible parties to fight for the compensation you need and deserve.

Contact our Atlanta office now at 678-981-5370 to schedule your no-risk consultation.