New York Trench Accident Lawyer Discusses a Recent Flood that Caused a Tragic Trench Collapse
A trench accident occurred on Friday, October 21, at about 1 p.m. when water suddenly flooded an underground area in Boston’s South end explains a trench accident lawyer at the F&A injury law firm in New York City.
Witnesses told the Boston Globe that a torrent of brown water suddenly spewed into the trench and across the Dartmouth Street construction zone. The Boston Police Commissioner, William Evans, suggested that a water pipe ruptured for an unknown reason.
Trench Suddenly Floods
A number of workers were in the long, narrow trench when it flooded without warning. At least two workers escaped, but two others were trapped. Firefighters quickly arrived, but neither fellow workers nor first responders could save the two victims. The trench is about 20 feet long, two feet wide and 12-15 feet deep.
Boston Water and Sewer Commission workers shut off the water, and a vacuum truck arrived to empty the trench of water. Firefighters worked for hours in the tight confines of the narrow trench to recover the workers’ bodies. One victim was reportedly from Rhode Island, and the other one was from the southern United States.
Previous Citations and Fines
The Boston Globe reported that the drain service company involved in the construction project received safety citations since 2012, and that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the company tens of thousands of dollars. A local resident reportedly hired the contractor to run pipes from a building to the street.
Of the more than 800 construction workers that die in the United States every year, several dozen or more die in trench accidents. Trench work is considered one of the more hazardous duties.
Workers compensation laws determine compensation for survivors of those killed on the job. In some cases, wrongful death litigation may follow if a third party’s negligence is a possible factor in a fatality.
If you or a loved one is a victim in a construction accident, it is possible to speak with a lawyer at no cost to you. To learn more, please contact us.