Denver Excavation Accident Attorney

Excavation and trenching rank among the most dangerous operations in the construction industry. In addition to the risk of flooding, one cubic yard of dirt can weigh as much as an automobile. If you have been hurt in an excavation accident, contact our Denver excavation accident lawyers at Fang Accident Lawyers right away. We focus our Denver practice on representing injured people.

Why Choose Us?

• When you choose our firm, you will have experienced Denver injury lawyers with a history of success to represent you.
• We have more than 10 years of experience litigating over 10,000 combined cases with a success rate of 98%.
• You will work directly with Denver excavation accident attorneys who want to give you their undivided attention – not legal assistants or paralegals.

Trenching and Excavation Statistics

Hazards associated with excavation and trench work are known and preventable. Nevertheless, serious excavation accidents continue to occur. As stated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):

• 271 workers died in trenching or excavation cave-ins in a six-year period.
• 54 workers, on average, die every year in excavation accidents.
• 68% of excavation and trenching fatalities occur in companies with fewer than 50 workers.
• 48% occur in small companies with 10 or fewer workers.

Causes of Excavation Accidents

Many excavation accidents occur when contractors or construction companies fail to adhere to OSHA standards. Improperly trained, inexperienced workers may be asked to dig a trench without the proper equipment. Types of excavation accidents include:

• Cave-in or trench collapse: When this happens, workers may be crushed or buried, sustaining serious or fatal injuries, including asphyxiation.
• Heavy machinery incidents: Heavy equipment used too close to a trench can fall in, injuring equipment operators and trench workers.
• Falls into a trench: When unguarded excavation sites are not properly stabilized, workers at the edge of a trench can fall in.
• Falling loads: A load that falls from above a trench or excavation site can seriously injure workers below.

OSHA Standards for Excavation and Trenching

OSHA requires that trenches are inspected daily, and as conditions change, by a competent person before workers enter the trench. A competent person is defined as an individual capable of identifying existing or predictable hazardous, dangerous, or unsanitary working conditions, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures. General OSHA excavation rules include:

• Knowing where underground utilities are located.
• Keeping heavy equipment away from trench edges.
• Keeping surcharge loads a minimum of two feet from trench edges.
• Not working under raised loads.
• Inspecting trenches at the start of each shift and after a rainstorm.
• Testing for low oxygen, toxic gases, and hazardous fumes.

Who Is Liable?

Determining liability in an excavation accident can be complicated, particularly when the responsible party is someone other than the injured worker’s employer. Potentially liable third parties may include:

• Subcontractors
• Property owners
• Manufacturers
• Materials suppliers
• Negligent equipment operators or drivers

Our Denver excavation accident lawyers can investigate your excavation accident to determine who is at fault for your injuries. We can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, help you pursue maximum workers’ compensation benefits, or fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve in a third-party claim for damages.

Contact Us Today

If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in an excavation accident, contact Fang Accident Lawyers as soon as possible. Our Denver excavation accident attorneys operate on a contingency-fee basis – you do not pay us any legal fees until we settle or win your case.