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Worker Drowns in Construction Accident

Posted by: Steve Wagner
January 29, 2009
Topic: Worker's Compensation

Stephen Walls, 51, Hartford City, drowned in downtown Wabash, Indiana, in a construction-ditch accident. Walls was an employee of Environmental Contractors, Inc., of Yorktown, Indiana. However, Environmental Contractors had been subcontracted by Indiana American Water Co. to work on this site at Carroll and West Streets. This unfortunate accident occurred just southwest of the new YMCA construction site.

Two holes had been dug in order to insert a concrete slab to cut off water flow to one of the holes. While Walls was in a hole near the street, he cut out a piece of piping. When he reached down between the piping, the water pressure from the other hole shoved the pipe against his arm, trapping him in the hole. The hole quickly filled with water resulting in Walls drowning.

Dozens of Indiana workers die in construction accidents each year. While some of these deaths can be classified as true accidents, most construction accidents are actually preventable and are due to the negligence of a contractor or general contractor. Under Indiana law, general contractors are charged with a non-delegable duty to maintain jobsite safety. This includes ensuring that contractors and sub-contractors follow state and federal safety rules promulgated by OSHA and enforced by the state agency-IOSHA.


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