Two workers sustained injuries on the job at a construction site in Lake Elsinore when they fell into a trench that was 20 feet deep. According to a news report in The Riverside Press Enterprise, the construction site accident occurred near Auto Center and Diamond drives the afternoon of April 4, 2011. Both men were able to get out of the trench. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries, but are expected to survive. The cause of this accident is under investigation.
My heart goes out to these two injured construction workers. It is indeed fortunate that the trench did not cave in. This could have been a fatal accident. I wish them both the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Statistics Relating to Trench Accidents
Trench accidents and cave-ins cause catastrophic injuries and very often, death. According to CAL-OSHA’s web site, between 2001 and 2005, 26 Californians have been killed in trench-related injuries and 207 were injured in such incidents. The most common cause of such accidents is failure on the part of the contractor to properly shore up the trench or provide adequate supervision, CAL-OSHA officials say. A majority of trench related accidents are caused by an initial fall into the trench.
Safety Standards
Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why the workers fell in. There are many questions here. Were the workers being supervised at the time? Did the construction company, or contractor, have a permit for the trench? Every time a worker enters an excavation 5 feet or deeper, companies need to obtain a permit from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Contractors are also required to conduct inspections every day, of the safety systems in place and pay constant attention to soil stability and weather patterns. It is not clear if the construction company in this case violated any safety standards.
Compensation Issues
In such cases, it would be in the best interests of the injured workers to seek the counsel of an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who will analyze the circumstances of the incident and determine who should be held liable. A knowledgeable injury lawyer will also be able to determine if the injured workers can file a “third-party claim” in addition to claiming workers compensation benefits. Such claims are usually filed against a party other than the employer and whose negligence caused or contributed to the incident. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured workers and their families.
Seriously injured in a Riverside County on-the-job accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Lake Elsinore workplace injury accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
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