Soil Stabilizing Equipment Accidents
Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss
- Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike.
- Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
- 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 and materials such as those seen in soil stabilization.
Soil stabilization is the modification of existing soils, typically with the addition of lime and cement for strengthening, to enhance their physical properties, mainly to improve the load-bearing capacity of a sub-grade to support pavements. Soil stabilization is not only more efficient, but it is also environmentally friendly. However, the equipment and materials used in soil stabilization are not without risk.
If you have been injured in a soil stabilization 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.
Soil Stabilization Risks
When soil becomes supersaturated it becomes unstable, allowing objects to sink into it. Wet, unstable soil is a hazard and must be corrected to prevent accidents. This is accomplished by the use of calcium hydroxide, commonly known as lime. When lime is mixed into the wet soil a firm, a concrete-like mixture is formed and will stabilize the soil to allow for repairs or construction.
Lime comes with its own hazards, though. These include:
- Irritation – Lime is a dry, powdery substance that can produce a significant amount of dust. This dust is an irritant to mucous membranes and skin and all exposed skin should remain covered to prevent injuries.
- Open lesions – Lime is drying and when the skin is left exposed to it for an extended period of time, cracks can develop that lead to open fissures in the skin and severe bleeding.
- Eye irritation – Lime can cause the eyes to water and if left untreated can lead to eye lesions and even blindness.
- Respiratory distress – Inhaling lime can cause severe irritation to the breathing passages, and because nearly all forms of lime contain crystalline silica dust, extended exposure may result in silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis, or pneumoconiosis.
- Gastric distress – If ingested, lime can cause pain, vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in blood pressure, and if exposure continues it can cause a perforation of the esophagus or stomach lining.
In addition to lime, soil stabilization requires the use of heavy equipment. Operators of this equipment should not only be properly trained in the safe use of such equipment, but the equipment should also be put through routine maintenance to ensure it is in proper working order. Soil stabilization equipment that is not maintained, or is defective in design and/or manufacture, should never be used to prevent serious injuries.
The most common injuries seen in soil stabilization 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 injury 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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