Sinkholes Create Risks for Construction Workers
The ground beneath our feet isn’t nearly as solid as most of us believe. Dirt, rocks, and minerals are continuously eroded by water over long periods of time. The resulting erosion causes large cavities in the bedrock, eventually collapsing. This is known as a sinkhole.
When a large section of the ground’s surface layer caves in, construction workers are in danger of serious injuries, or even death.
Construction Sinkhole Dangers
Although erosion is a common cause, sinkholes sometimes form due to human conduct. Industrial runoffs, sewer collapses, broken water mains, collapsed mines, demolition, and excavation are among the most common sinkhole catalysts. When a construction site sinkhole occurs, the site owner is responsible for ensuring that workers are safe.
Construction workers charged with the repair of sinkholes face serious risks when:
- A crane tips over. A crane operating near the edge of a sinkhole can easily tip and fall inside, seriously injuring or killing the construction workers below.
- The edges further collapse. The edges of a sinkhole can give way, causing workers near the rim to fall. Falling debris may also strike workers below, resulting in serious injuries.
Sinkhole Construction Accident Injuries
Construction site managers and owners are responsible for preventing sinkholes, and for preventing worker injuries when these natural depressions form. If you were injured in a sinkhole construction accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney may consult geologists and engineers to discover the cause of the sinkhole, and investigate the construction site to determine whether proper safety precautions were taken to protect workers. To learn more about what the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., can do for you, visit us on Facebook.