Manhole and Utility Vault Accidents

Manhole covers, utility vaults, cable vaults and telephone vaults are all common sights. We see these things every time we walk down the street and rarely give them a second thought. However, when proper safety precautions are not taken, utility vaults and manholes can cause very serious injuries. In the worst cases, a manhole accident can even result in a death. The victims of these accidents deserve full and fair compensation. If you were injured in utility vault or manhole accident, please contact an experienced Las Vegas premises liability attorney for immediate legal assistance.

Manhole Accidents Can Lead to Serious Injuries

When proper care is not taken, people can trip over unsecured manholes and utility vaults. Worse, in some cases victims can actually fall into a manhole. These type of accidents can lead to especially devastating injuries. Often, young children become the victims of manhole accidents. Many different types of serious injuries can occur as a result; this includes:

• Severe lacerations;
• Major soft tissue damage
• Broken bones;
• Head trauma, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries;
• Spinal cord damage;
• Debilitating emotional distress; and
• Death.

If you or your family member has suffered any type of manhole or utility vault in injury in Nevada, we urge you to consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

Vaults Should Always Be Properly Secured and Up to Safety Code

All utility vaults, cable vaults, telephone vaults and manholes should always be adequately secured and up to the current safety codes. Safety codes are often controlled by city and county ordinances. For example, North Las Vegas has extensive construction and design standards that must always be followed. The entity responsible for a utility vault or a manhole cover has a legal responsibility to protect the public from any unreasonable safety hazards. The responsible entities could include: the state of Nevada, the city of Las Vegas, other municipal governments, utility companies, telephone companies and cable companies. If any one of these organizations has failed to live up to their safety obligations, and you were injured as a result, it would be well advised to take legal action immediately.

Liability for Utility Vault and Manhole Accidents

In Nevada, injury compensation for a manhole or utility vault accident can be recovered under the theory of premises liability. You can bring a premises liability claim against a property owner, a business, a utility company or a government entity. In order to prevail in this type of action, your personal injury lawyer will need to prove that the defendant was negligent. Establishing negligence in a manhole accident requires proving each of the following legal elements:

• Duty: First you will need to prove that the defendant had a duty of care. This means that you will need to show that the other party had a legal obligation to look out for your safety. In Nevada, it is well established that property owners and managers have a responsibility to keep their premises free from any unreasonable safety hazards. This includes unreasonable hazards posed by manholes or utility vaults.
• Breach: Next, you’ll need to prove that the defendant breached the aforementioned duty of care. Essentially, you will need to show that they failed keep their premises free of unreasonable safety hazards. In most premises liability injury cases, this is the most fiercely contested element of the negligence standard. Often disputes will often arise over what exactly constitutes an ‘unreasonable’ safety hazard. It is critical that you have an experienced attorney by your side who can help you prove that a breach occurred.
• Causation: You will also need to prove causation. Even if you can prove that a breach of the duty of care took place, you will only be able to recover compensation if you can show that there is a connection between that breach and your injuries.
• Damages: Finally, you will need to prove that you sustained actual harm in your utility vault accident. Even if it is undisputed that you were seriously injured, this element is still important. You will need to prove the full extent of your injuries and any other losses in order to collect the full compensation that you deserve.

Contact Us for Questions About Falling Into Manhole and/or Utility Vault Liability in Las Vegas

If you or a family member has been seriously injured, and you believed an improperly secured utility vault was to blame, you need to speak to an attorney immediately. At the Ladah Law Firm, our Vegas accident lawyers have the right experience to help accident victims recover fair & full compensation in these type premises liability cases. Don’t hesitate to contact our office right away at 702-252-0055 to schedule a free initial consultation.