Illinois Excavation Accident Lawyers

Award-Winning Attorneys for Workers Injured By Excavators and Trenches

Construction workers face some of the most dangerous job conditions in the country—and excavation work is among the most hazardous of all. When proper safety measures are neglected on job sites, workers can suffer devastating injuries or lose their lives in entirely preventable accidents. At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand the life-altering consequences that excavation accidents can have on Illinois workers and their families. Our firm is dedicated to holding negligent contractors and employers accountable, helping victims secure the compensation they need to recover.

Why Excavation Work Is So Dangerous

Excavation refers to the process of moving earth, rock, or other materials to create open spaces in the ground—such as trenches, foundations, or utility channels. Despite its necessity in modern construction, excavation presents serious safety risks, especially when performed without proper oversight or protective systems. Workers in trenches face the threat of sudden cave-ins, which can bury them under thousands of pounds of soil. Other dangers include falls into unmarked excavations, equipment rollovers, falling materials, and the striking of underground utilities like gas or electric lines. The conditions can change rapidly depending on soil stability, weather, and nearby construction activity.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), excavation and trenching work results in dozens of fatalities each year, with many more workers seriously injured. Even a small lapse in safety—such as failing to shore a trench or inspect for soil movement—can have catastrophic consequences.

Excavation Accident Statistics in Illinois

Excavation-related incidents continue to claim lives in Illinois despite well-established safety rules. In 2022, OSHA reported 39 trench-related deaths nationwide—more than double the average from previous years. Four of those fatalities occurred in Illinois alone. OSHA officials noted a “dramatic and disturbing” rise in these incidents, prompting renewed enforcement actions.

In the broader context of Illinois workplace safety, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 177 total occupational fatalities in the state in 2022. While transportation incidents made up the largest share, construction-related accidents—including excavation incidents—were a major contributor to the state’s fatality count. “Contact with objects and equipment” and “falls, slips, and trips” were two of the most common causes of construction deaths, both of which frequently occur during excavation work.

Another area of concern in Illinois is utility damage caused by excavation. According to data compiled by ProPublica, more than 30% of pipeline-related incidents in the state between 1986 and 2023 were caused by excavation damage. These accidents often result in gas leaks, fires, explosions, and significant injury or death.

Common Injuries From Excavation Accidents

Excavation accidents can cause severe, life-threatening injuries that leave victims with long-term disabilities or permanent impairment. Some of the most common injuries associated with excavation accidents include:

• Crush Injuries: When a trench collapses or heavy machinery tips over, workers may be crushed under soil, debris, or equipment. Crush injuries can cause extensive internal damage, broken bones, and compartment syndrome.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Falls into unmarked or poorly protected excavations can result in head trauma. TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive impairments, memory loss, and loss of motor function.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: A fall or collapse can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing paralysis or loss of sensation below the injury site.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Workers caught in a collapse or struck by equipment often suffer multiple bone fractures, which may require surgery and prolonged rehabilitation.
• Amputations: Excavators and trenching machines can cause traumatic amputations if limbs become trapped or entangled.
• Burns and Electrocution: Striking underground electrical or gas lines can result in fires or explosions, leading to severe burns or fatal electrocution.
• Suffocation and Asphyxiation: Workers buried in trench collapses may die from lack of oxygen, even if the collapse lasts only seconds.

Many of these injuries are preventable with the proper use of trench boxes, sloping, daily inspections, and adherence to OSHA standards.

Legal and Safety Standards for Excavation Work

Excavation and trenching work in Illinois is governed by OSHA’s Trenching and Excavation Standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P). These regulations require that trenches deeper than five feet be protected with shoring, shielding, or sloping, unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. In addition, OSHA mandates the presence of a “competent person” at the worksite to inspect excavations daily and after any condition changes, such as heavy rainfall or soil disturbance.

Other safety rules include:

• Spoil piles must be kept at least two feet from the edge of the excavation.
• Ladders or egress routes must be provided every 25 feet in trenches deeper than four feet.
• Equipment and materials must be placed at safe distances from trench edges.
• Underground utilities must be located and marked before digging begins.

Illinois contractors must also comply with the “Call Before You Dig” law, which requires contacting JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) at 811 before beginning any excavation. Despite these requirements, many employers continue to cut corners—leading to preventable injuries and fatalities.

Common Causes of Excavation Accidents

Most excavation accidents are entirely preventable and occur due to negligence, poor training, or lack of oversight. Common causes include:

• Failure to use trench protective systems such as trench boxes, sloping, or shoring
• Lack of a competent person to inspect excavations and ensure compliance with OSHA rules
• Improper placement of spoil piles or equipment near the edge of the trench, increasing collapse risk
• Insufficient egress routes, preventing workers from escaping quickly in an emergency
• Striking underground utilities, often due to failure to call JULIE before digging
• Lack of PPE and training, which increases risk when accidents occur
• Weather-related hazards, including rain, snow, or freezing conditions that compromise trench stability

Contractors and site supervisors are required by law to recognize and mitigate these risks before allowing work to proceed.

Workers’ Rights After an Excavation Injury

If you’ve been injured in an excavation or trench collapse accident in Illinois, you have legal rights. In most cases, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which may include payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and permanent disability.

In addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim, you may also be able to pursue a third-party personal injury lawsuit if someone other than your employer contributed to the accident. For example:

• If a subcontractor caused the trench collapse by removing supports
• If a utility company failed to mark lines and caused an explosion
• If equipment manufacturers supplied defective trench shields

Our top-rated Illinois construction accident lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates carefully investigate excavation injury claims to identify all liable parties and seek the maximum compensation available under the law.

Preventing Excavation Accidents

While legal action is important for injured workers, the ultimate goal is to prevent excavation accidents from happening in the first place. Employers should implement robust safety programs that include:

• Training workers to recognize excavation hazards
• Hiring qualified “competent persons” to oversee trenching activities
• Using protective systems such as trench boxes, sloping, or shoring
• Calling 811 to locate underground utilities before digging
• Keeping spoil piles and equipment away from trench edges
• Inspecting excavations daily and after weather events
• Providing ladders, ramps, or other egress points in all deep trenches

Investing in safety not only saves lives but also protects employers from liability, fines, and project delays.

Contact the Top-Rated Illinois Excavation Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Excavation work is dangerous—but that doesn’t mean accidents are inevitable. When contractors fail to follow OSHA safety rules or put profits over people, innocent workers suffer the consequences. At John J. Malm & Associates, we have the experience and resources to investigate trench collapses, hold negligent parties accountable, and fight for the compensation our clients deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an excavation accident in Illinois, don’t wait. Our dedicated Illinois excavation accident attorneys are ready to help you understand your rights, explore your options, and take action. Contact us today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.