Trenching & Excavating Accident Lawyers in WV
Excavation and trench work carries more risk than nearly any other job on a construction site. In the steep, mountainous regions of West Virginia (WV) and throughout Appalachia, trenching and excavation are often particularly challenging and dangerous. In an instant, a trench can collapse and cause major injuries or even death. Workers injured in these accidents—and the families they support—need the assistance of experienced trenching and excavating accident lawyers in WV.
Trenching and Excavating Accident Lawyers in WV Can Advocate for You
Victims of trench collapse accidents in West Virginia deserve an advocate who will fight for the damages they’re owed after an accident. The dedicated and aggressive Martinsburg, West Virginia construction accident lawyers at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson have been fighting for compensation on behalf of construction workers and injury victims for decades.
We know how hard it can be for victims of on-the-job accidents to get the money they need to recover from stingy insurers or careless third-party contractors, and we are prepared to fight for the compensation workers are entitled to receive.
After an on-the-job trenching or excavating accident in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia or surrounding areas, like Hagerstown, Maryland, contact the construction accident lawyers at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson for a no-cost assessment of your case.
Trench and Excavation Accidents Are All Too Common; They Are Also Preventable
In response to increases in trenching and excavation injuries and fatalities, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented a National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation.
In a news release, OSHA noted the most concerning aspect of trenching and excavation accidents: they can be prevented by following standard safety requirements. “There simply is no excuse for ignoring safety requirements to prevent trench collapses and cave-ins, and leaving families, friends and co-workers to grieve when the solutions are so well-understood,” an OSHA representative noted in the news release.
If your employer or another entity failed to follow safety best practices for trenching and excavation, and you were injured as a result, you may be able to recover damages for losses like costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and emotional distress. Likewise, if your loved one was killed in an excavation or trench collapse accident, you may be eligible for compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Types of Injuries in Excavation and Trench Collapse Accidents
A single square yard of dirt can weigh as much as a small car, according to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Workers rarely have much warning when a collapse is about to occur and can quickly be covered with tons of dirt, resulting in crushing injuries and/or suffocation.
Workers in trenches are also vulnerable to:
- Electrocution
- Drowning
- Inhalation of dangerous fumes in unventilated spaces
- Traumatic brain injury
- Carbon monoxide inhalation
When You Need Excavating Accident Lawyers in WV
After a West Virginia trench collapse or excavation accident, get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Contact the Martinsburg personal injury lawyers at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson for a free consultation on your case by calling 304-263-0900 or completing this online contact form. Find out how our excavating accident lawyers in WV can help today.
