Anchor Bolt Failures and Concrete Collapses
One of the most important jobs on a construction site is securing the anchor bolts to the concrete. Anchor bolts are commonly used to hold up buildings and tunnels as well as large structures such as sports stadiums and nuclear power plants.
When anchor bolts are not safely in place, they can collapse and trap workers and other individuals, causing serious personal injuries and often wrongful death.
In 2006, a female motorist was killed when a faulty anchor bolt installation caused a piece of cement ceiling to collapse onto her car in the Interstate 90 tunnel, part of Boston's Big Dig project. The wrong type of epoxy had been used to adhere the bolts, resulting in the collapse and fatal motor vehicle accident. The accident dumped 26 tons of concrete and hardware onto the Buick sedan carrying the victim and her husband, who survived.
The woman's family later brought a wrongful death lawsuit against 15 defendants, including Big Dig project manager Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff as well as the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Modern Continental Co. and Gannett Fleming Inc. The lawsuit was settled for more than $28 million.
Who is Liable For Anchor Bolt Failures
Accidents involving concrete and anchor bolts are serious because they involve heavy, dense weights. Concrete collapses can occur on construction sites or after completion of the project, when members of the public are using buildings, tunnels and roadways.
Injuries can be life-changing and may include head injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, bleeding, internal injuries, amputation and paralysis. In many cases, anchor bolt accidents and concrete collapses result in wrongful death.
Anchor bolt and concrete accidents may result from the negligence of construction companies, trucking companies delivering the bolts to the work site or the manufacturing facility producing the bolts. Determining just who caused the accident is a complex process. There are many contractors and sub-contractors who can work on these types of projects and any one of them can contribute to the accident.
What to Do After an Anchor Bolt Failure Accident
If you are a construction worker who has been injured in a concrete collapse, you can seek workers' compensation benefits from your employer. It is also important to speak to an experienced Massachusetts construction accident lawyer as well.
If you are a member of the public injured by a concrete collapse, it is also critical that you speak to an experienced Boston construction accident lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and other damages.
If a loved one was killed in a concrete collapse, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
Concrete collapses are complicated and will be followed by an investigation by state and federal authorities, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston construction accident lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have the experience, expertise and resources to achieve the best results for you. We are experienced in handling cases of Massachusetts construction accidents involving cranes, concrete collapses and explosions. We have representing individuals injured in accidents in Cambridge, Boston, Quincy and across the state.
If you or a loved one has been injured, we can protect your rights during the investigation process and inform you about your rights for seeking compensation. To learn more about us, visit our Case Results page to see the successes we have had for our past clients.
If you feel you have a case, contact us today for a free legal consultation. Please call us toll-free at 800-379-1244 or use our contact form.