Pflugerville is one of the fastest-growing towns in Texas, only minutes from North Austin, and the home of many large industrial companies, including Amazon and FedEx Ground.
With all the growth in Pflugerville, there are many ongoing construction projects. Unfortunately, when builders fail to follow state and federal worker safety laws, accidents can occur, including trench collapses on construction sites.
What Causes a Trench Collapse on a Construction Site?
Excavation and trench work is needed at many Texas construction sites, and this is dangerous work that requires precautions to do it safely. Unfortunately, trench collapses often happen for the following reasons:
- Improper sloping
- Unstable soil
- Flooding
- Negligence
If you or a loved one are injured or killed in a trench collapse, you should immediately speak to a personal injury attorney.
What Sort of Injuries Occur After a Trench Collapse?
Many severe and often fatal injuries can occur during trench collapses, including:
- Asphyxiation
- Toxic fume inhalation
- Broken ribs
- Spinal injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Death
Pastrana & García Injury Law’s Trench Collapse Case
In October 2021, in Travis County, Texas, an employee was working in a trench for a local construction company when the walls collapsed around him, leading to death by suffocation and, later, a wrongful death lawsuit by Pastrana & García Injury Law.
The workers outside the trench thought the worker below was deceased, but a police officer at the scene thought he was trying to breathe. They frantically began to dig him out with shovels. After approximately 25 minutes of effort, the man was pulled from the trench. According to the fire department, the man was unconscious but still breathing and had a pulse. Unfortunately, he died at the hospital later.
The deceased construction worker had just been married and had a two-year-old son. His widow lost her husband, and the son lost his father and will never know him or receive his love, care, and support. This deadly accident could have been prevented if the company had followed OSHA and Texas laws regarding construction site safety.
The Construction Company Was Negligent
OSHA found that the job site was unreasonably unsafe and dangerous and caused the deceased’s death. The employer was aware of the risk but continued operating an unsafe worksite that led to tragic consequences.
OSHA violations included:
- 29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): Employer failed to instruct workers to recognize unsafe work conditions. The workers were not trained on the dangers of working in a 13-foot-deep trench.
- 29 CFR 1926.651(h)(1): Employees worked in an excavation site where there was accumulating water, and insufficient precautions were taken to protect them.
- 29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1): An inspection of the excavation site was not performed by qualified workers before the commencement of work.
Recovery Obtained by Pastrana & Garíca Injury Law
The widow of the deceased and his son received a settlement of $3.7 million, with $1.48 million in legal fees, for financial loss, termination of family relationships, loss of consortium, mental anguish, loss of inheritance, and more.
Contact Our Pflugerville Construction Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one were hurt in a construction site accident, you don’t have to suffer the injuries and other losses alone. Our Pflugerville construction accident lawyers at Pastrana & García Injury Law can help.
