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Directional Boring Equipment Accidents

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

Construction is one of the most dangerous careers in America, with one in ten construction workers injured each year while working on the roads, infrastructure, and buildings across the country. This often involves the use of dangerous and heavy equipment such as directional boring equipment.
Directional boring equipment, also known as horizontal directional drilling (HDD), is a trenchless method of installing underground utilities such as conduit, pipe, or cables in a shallow radius along a predetermined path using a surface-launched drilling rig when traditional trenching or excavation is not ideal or when minimal surface disturbances are required. The advantages of directional boring are numerous however the process is not without risk.
If you have been injured in a directional boring equipment accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

Directional Boring Equipment Risks

Directional boring is complicated and directional boring equipment operators are often “flying blind” as they must drill holes in various places, often under busy areas and water, all the while having to avoid treacherous obstacles such as unseen power lines, gas lines, and water lines. When accidents occur, they can be catastrophic. It is not uncommon for sewer lines to rupture, power lines can be cut or cause electrocutions, and the surrounding ground can collapse. This is why it is important that directional boring equipment operators are thoroughly trained, equipment is routinely maintained, and any equipment that is defective in design and/or manufacture is never used. To do so could put the operator and bystanders at-risk for serious and deadly injuries.
 The most common injuries seen in directional boring equipment accidents include:
  • Bruises
  • Lacerations
  • Fractures
  • Abrasions
  • Amputation
  • Crushing injuries
  • Severe burns
  • Permanent disabilities
  • Head, neck, and spinal injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Death

Liability in Construction Accidents

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH ACT), employers have an obligation to maintain a safe working environment and follow the regulations of OSHA. If the employer, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or another employee fails to follow the appropriate standards of care and their actions or inactions cause an accident, they could be liable for the injuries and damages their negligence caused.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits, including medical and rehabilitation expenses, partial wages, and disability benefits to an injured worker regardless of who was at-fault for the accident. Workers compensation does typically prohibit an employee from suing their employer for the accident, however, there may be other options including filing a claim against a negligent third-party, such as a subcontractor, vendor, defective equipment designer and/or manufacturer, or general contractor who is not the employee’s direct employer.
Construction accidents are often complex, involving multiple parties and defendants. This is why it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine your rights under Illinois law.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, the lawyers at 844 See Mike can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 135 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.

 

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