02/01/2012 // WPB, FL, USA // Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley

Milpitas, CA — A construction accident claimed the life of a 37-year-old carpenter, who was buried during a hillside collapse. The fatal construction accident occurred around 10 a.m. at 814 Calaveras Ridge Drive on Saturday, January 28, 2012, reported the San Jose Mercury News.

The victim, who remains unidentified, was doing woodwork in a 12-foot ditch at a residential construction site when it suddenly caved in. The collapse crushed and killed the worker almost instantly.

Just days before this deadly accident, city inspectors shut down the site after deeming it “too dangerous.” The rainfall from the previous weekend had reportedly increased the risk of the steep hillside collapsing.

The Fremont-based contractor, U.S.-Sino Investment, continued work despite investigator’s stop-work notice.

“The workers had previously cut a 12-foot-deep hole at the site to build the house’s foundation. But they didn’t put any system in place to “shore” the hole to ensure the trench would not collapse,” the city’s chief building official, Keyvan Irannejad said to San Jose Mercury news.

Police and state investigators are now considering filing criminal charges against the contractor as a result of the accident. Fines are also likely to be levied against the contractor.

Cal/OSHA is also investigating.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for California construction accident lawyers.

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