Construction workers in Green Bay face significant risks when working in and around trenches, with collapses representing one of the most dangerous workplace hazards in the industry. These sudden catastrophic events can result in severe injuries, including crushing injuries, suffocation, internal organ damage, and tragically, fatalities. Trench collapses often occur due to inadequate shoring, improper soil analysis, failure to use trench boxes, or non-compliance with OSHA-mandated safety protocols. When combined with Green Bay's varied soil conditions and seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, these factors create particularly hazardous conditions for excavation workers. Construction companies, site supervisors, and contractors may be held liable for injuries resulting from inadequate safety measures, improper training, or failure to follow established safety protocols. Personal injury claims arising from trench collapses can involve multiple parties, including property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers.

Legal actions involving trench collapse injuries in Wisconsin are governed by specific state and federal regulations. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence system, where injured parties can recover damages as long as they are not more than 51% at fault for the accident. Workers' compensation typically provides the primary source of recovery for injured workers, but third-party claims may be pursued against negligent contractors or equipment manufacturers. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Wisconsin is three years from the date of injury. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, disability benefits, pain and suffering, and in cases of fatal accidents, wrongful death damages. OSHA violations can significantly strengthen a personal injury claim, as they establish clear evidence of safety standard breaches.

A good personal injury lawyer can help with all kinds of accidents and injuries including:

• Green Bay car accidents
• Green Bay truck collisions
• Green Bay pedestrian accidents
• Green Bay motorcycle accidents
• Green Bay wrongful death claims
• Green Bay spinal cord injuries;
• Green Bay whiplash injuries;
• Green Bay brain injuries.

Related Resources:

Brown County Circuit Court 100 S. Jefferson Street Green Bay, WI 54301

Support Services:

• Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Division - Green Bay Office
• Wisconsin Bureau of Construction Trades and Safety
• OSHA Area Office - Appleton
• Construction Accident Victim Support Group - Northeast Wisconsin

Regulatory Resources:

• Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 332 (Public Employee Safety)
• OSHA Standards for Excavation Safety (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P)
• Wisconsin Construction Safety Regulations
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Guidelines

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