Trench collapse in Louisiana

Barry Doyle

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 800

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Two workers were lucky to survive when the trench that they were working in collapsed. The trench was being dug near a highway and did not have a proper retaining wall. Authorities believe that vibrations from the nearby highway triggered the collapse.

One of the workers suffered a fractured ankle while trying to escape the trench.

Working in an excavation is one of the most hazardous duties in construction work. Workers can be buried quickly underneath tons of earth, causing them to either suffocate or suffer broken limbs.

A trench collapse does not have to be triggered by the work being done at the time of the collapse. Vibrations from nearby activity can cause the walls of the trench to shake loose. The amount of water in the soil and the consistency of the soil are also factors which must be considered.

Because of the number of variables involved and the severity of the injuries at risk, all excavation work must be done in compliance with OSHA regulations.