Trench Accident Lawyer Serving Throughout New York
Working in construction, you know that your safety is often on the line, and that you rely on the supervisors and subcontractors operating on your work site not to act in a way that puts your well-being at risk. Certain tasks on a job site involve an even greater safety risk than others. Some of the most dangerous work on a construction site is work that requires digging trenches or otherwise excavating the ground. Site managers are required by New York state and federal law to provide equipment to keep you safe from injury while working in and around trenches, but management is not always willing to spare the time and expense of taking additional steps to keep you safe. If you’ve been the victim of a trench collapse or excavation accident on a Hudson Valley job site, you need to take swift action to document your injuries and the circumstances surrounding your accident to ensure that you get paid what you deserve for your expenses and lost wages. A trench accident lawyer at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello has the knowledge and dedication to offer you the best possible chances to make a full financial recovery after you’re hurt on the job in a trenching accident.
The dangers of trench and excavation work
Carrying out trench work safely requires a careful attention to the structural stability of the trench and use of specialized safety equipment. The natural weight of soil, coupled with the effects of weather on the stability of the ground, and the presence of dug-out dirt and rock near the edge of the trench, can all affect the trench’s stability. Often, important safety steps are skipped by negligent job supervisors or excavation and trench subcontractors. Injuries that can be caused by trench collapse or accidents during excavation include:
- Suffocation or crush injuries when trench walls collapse
- Improper ventilation of small underground spaces resulting in asphyxiation
- Electrocution when workers hit underground power lines during excavation
- Falls into insufficiently-marked trenches
- Injuries related to explosions conducted for the purpose of excavation
- Head trauma from objects allowed to fall from above onto workers in trenches
If you were hurt in a trenching accident that could have been prevented by proper adherence to relevant safety regulations, you may have a claim for damages. While New York workers are typically barred from bringing a lawsuit against the company that employs them, third party independent contractors and subcontractors can be held liable for their negligence in court. Contractors and property owners can also be held absolutely liable for certain violations of New York labor laws and safety regulations.
Help is Available After A Serious New York Trench Accident Injury
If you need help recovering the money you’re owed after an accident in the Hudson Valley, contact a skilled trench accident lawyer at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello. Our knowledgeable attorneys are trial-ready and determined to ensure you’re paid what you deserve for your injuries. For a free consultation on your claims, contact our Marlboro office at 845-236-4411, or our Kingston office at 845-331-4100.
