Skip to content

Trench Collapse Accidents

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Construction work often requires excavation to lay down foundations, place or repair piping, and work on mechanics and wire below the ground’s surface. When safeguards are not used while digging and working within a trench, accidents can occur. Trench collapses are among the deadliest of construction accidents, often pinning, crushing, and burying workers alive in the trench with falling dirt and debris.

If you have been injured in a trench collapse accident, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Mike Agruss Law is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

OSHA Trenching Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific regulations regarding safe trenching practices. Under 29 CFR 1926.652, OSHA states:

  • Trench boxes (retaining devices) are required in all trenches to prevent the walls of the excavated area from collapsing.
  • Soil conditions must be evaluated prior to the start of work.
  • Utility lines should be located before excavation.
  • Air conditions must be evaluated for the presence of toxic gasses and oxygen levels.
  • All workers must wear protective gear (hard hats).
  • Barriers and fencing should be used around trenches to prevent workers, bystanders, and heavy equipment from falling in.
  • Overhead work and suspended loads are prohibited from being used above a trench.

It is also important that construction workers receive the proper training required to ensure that they keep themselves and others safe while working in and around trenches. According to OSHA, approximately 1,000 workers are injured, and 100 workers are killed every year in trench collapse accidents, making this type of work one of the most dangerous parts of any construction project.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, an experienced personal injury lawyer can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.

We at Mike Agruss Law are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.

Submitted Comments

No Comments submitted yet. Sharing your story will help others!

We are listening

We will respond to you at lightning speed. All of your information will be kept confidential.

Form successfully submitted!