Construction and maintenance are a constant in Massachusetts or any municipality. This is vital for the safety of the public and functionality of basic services. However, it is important to remember that whenever there is a project underway, there is the danger of a work accident. This is when it is important to remember how workers’ compensation benefits are essential to help a work accident victim cover lost wages and pay for medical expenses. When there is a problem with the workers’ compensation or any other issue, having legal help for the case is imperative.
A worker for the Water Department was injured after a trench collapsed. The accident occurred at around 8:40 a.m. Emergency crews went to the scene and found the worker had a leg injury. The trench was being dug in the road for a new water main. The director of the Department of Public Works stated that the worker was in a shallow trench when part of its side collapsed. It hit his leg and knocked him over. Most deeper trenches will have a sidewall to prevent collapse. This is done when the trench is four to five feet deep. This portion of the trench was not that deep, but still collapsed and injured the worker. The worker was placed on a backboard and removed from the trench. He was taken to the hospital. His injuries are not viewed as life-threatening.
Workers’ compensation is a lifeline for people who are injured on the job. It can pay for medical costs, assist with lost wages and help those who are unable to work due their injuries. While it might be believed that if a person is hurt at work, they will have no problem getting their workers’ compensation benefits, this is not always true. Some insurers might call the claim into question or try to find ways to pay as little as possible. Often, they will try to avoid paying anything at all. After the work accident, the injured person and his or her family must be fully aware of their rights to workers’ compensation.
Although most trench accidents occur in deeper trenches, this is an example that trench collapses can happen regardless of the size of the trench and cause injuries. In some cases, they can lead to a fatality. While this worker’s injuries are not viewed as life-threatening, he should still protect himself in the face of all eventualities by discussing his case with an attorney experienced in helping injured workers.
Source: salemnews.com, “Shallow trench collapse injures Danvers DPW worker,” Ethan Forman, Oct. 26, 2017