Worker Rescued After Brooklyn Trench Collapse

FDNY Rescues Worker Injured In Williamsburg, Brooklyn Trench Collapse

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (August 24, 2024) – A worker was injured in a Williamsburg, Brooklyn construction accident after the trench that he was in suddenly collapsed.

New York City officials are saying that the incident took place around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday. A worker was in a trench when it suddenly collapsed around him.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. The man was eventually rescued after about 50 minutes and taken to the hospital.

An investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Brooklyn Trench Collapse Accidents

Digging trenches can be extremely dangerous, especially when safety protocols are not being followed. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Injuries and deaths related to trench collapses continue to happen. From the years 2003 to 2017, there were a total of 373 trenching deaths. More than 80% of those deaths happened in the construction industry. Workers do not often survive trench collapses, but we can prevent them.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a trench collapse.

• Stress on top of the soil above a trench can cause a collapse.
• Failure to properly inspect a trench can easily lead to accidents.
• Different types of soil have different properties. Certain types of soil are more prone to collapse and will therefore need additional cave-in protections.

Depending on the facts of any case, a general contractor could be liable for a trench collapse. In particular, general contractors could be held liable through New York Labor Law 241(6) if they failed to incorporate adequate cave-in protection to the sides of a trench prior to a collapse. Victims of trench collapse accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations
• Organ damage

It can be hard to know where to begin after a trench collapse. Victims of these accidents may need to take long periods of time off of work. It is also common for victims to be left with high medical bills. It is important for construction workers to understand that they do have rights. Any person injured in a trench collapse may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Getting Legal Help After A Trench Collapse 

We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to the worker injured in this accident. It is our hope that he is able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Brooklyn trench collapse? You may have legal recourse. Our team of construction accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that workers are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.