Tragic Maryland Heights Mine Collapse Kills Employee

A 61-year-old man was involved in a tragic accident that occurred at the Fred Weber rock quarry in Maryland Heights Missouri last Wednesday, which left the man dead. He was a 24-year veteran with the company.

According to reports, at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday March 27, a routine rock-blasting operation caused an accident in the north quarry which resulted in a major rock slide, trapping the man below many tons of rock. Video footage shows the immense amount of rock that came crashing down.

According to a spokesperson for the company, the man was confirmed to have been killed by a routine rock blasting operation, when he was buried under several tons of rock.

Shortly after the accident occurred, EMS arrived on the scene to try and rescue the man, and fire crews were present to investigate the cause of the accident. Fred Weber Inc. said in a statement that it had notified the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and that it plans to cooperate fully with their investigation.

Accidents such as this one are not uncommon in construction site and related activities. These types of practices are considered ultrahazardous because they carry such a high associated risk. While not all construction site jobs pose as much danger as in this case, because of the nature of the work, there is still a great potential for workers to suffer from a personal injury or wrongful death.

While this tragedy involved the use of explosives resulting in a rock slide, falls remain the number one cause of construction worker-related fatalities.

Other common causes of construction injuries and deaths include:

  • Scaffolding accidents
  • Electric shock
  • Explosions
  • Fires
  • Compressed gases accidents
  • Welding accidents
  • Machinery accidents
  • Trench collapses
  • Motor vehicle-related injuries
  • Being hit by falling or heavy equipment or materials

Although workers on construction sites and their representatives may not be able to sue their employers for work-related injuries directly, they may be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits for injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, disability, or any resulting death. Additionally, if a third-party aside from the employer was responsible for causing the accident, the injured party may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against that person or entity.

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed as a result of a construction accident in the Maryland or Washington D.C. area, contact the experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen. We have many years of experienced advocating on behalf of victims and families of these construction site accidents. We are dedicated to zealously representing you, and making sure that you receive the compensation you deserve. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we don’t recover until you do. Contact us today in order to schedule your free initial consultation. You can reach us through our website, or by calling 1-800-654-1949 today.

More Blog Posts:

Controversy Surrounds Proposed Legislation in Maryland Requiring Warnings for Old Tires, Maryland Accident Law Blog, published March 19, 2013
$80,000 Settlement for 3 Year Old Girl Who Fell out of Ride, Maryland Accident Law Blog, published February 19, 2013

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