Cave-In Accidents a Real and Scary Risk
When you are excavating or digging, the risk of a cave-in may be in the back of your mind. But these accidents are very real, and they’re more common than you might think. When they happen, they often end tragically. Fortunately, in a recent accident in Boston, the end result was far more positive than in other similar situations.
According to the Boston Herald, construction workers were working on a South Boston site when one became trapped when a form wall collapsed on him. The worker’s lower body was buried in concrete and dirt. When all was said and done, he likely suffered little more than a broken ankle, according to reports, though it could have been much worse.
The emergency call for help came in at 2:17 p.m. Fire officials immediately called in the department’s two technical rescue teams to take on the complex task of stabilizing the enormously heavy load of concrete and dirt behind the collapsed form wall while protecting the man from a further collapse.
“Because of the position of the form, to prevent it from coming onto the man, we had to brace it up,” Buchanan said.
Firefighters then began removing the concrete and gravel that had broken through to cover half the victim’s body.
While the rescue was taking place, the man was given a helmet to protect him from falling debris, fire officials said. Buchanan said Boston EMS crews began treating him in place while firefighters were shoring up the wall and digging him out.
The entire rescue took more than 90 minutes as emergency medical personnel kept the worker comfortable while firefighters worked to free him from the debris.
Cave-ins and trench collapses happen quite often when workers are below ground. Whether making way for a new subway line or working on water and electricity equipment under ground, the risks of such accidents are very real.
New York and New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyers
The Ginarte construction accident attorneys have represented our share of workers injured in these types of accidents. We know that a broken ankle is about as minor as it can get when an entire wall or trench collapses on you. Frequently, these accidents can end far more tragically.
But whether you suffer a broken bone or a head injury, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Your employer has a responsibility to keep you safe. Contact us today to discuss your accident and your legal options. Our attorneys can be reached at 888-GINARTE.
