Trench Collapse at South Yarmouth Construction Site Injured Several Workers Along South Shore Drive
CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS (November 18, 2025) – Several workers were injured in a South Yarmouth trench collapse accident at a worksite at 152 South Shore Drive.
Barnstable County officials are saying that the accident took place Tuesday morning. Rescue teams and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help all of the victims.
Teams began to carefully shore up the sides of the trench with a hydraulic lift to help extricate the workers. Many people were gathered around the worksite to help with the project.
One worker was extricated with major injuries and was provided lifesaving assistance. It remains unclear how many workers were trapped at the South Yarmouth construction site.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Who Will be Held Liabile for the South Yarmouth Trench Collapse?
Construction companies in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to protect workers from foreseeable sources of harm. These companies must be particularly careful when trenches are being excavated or worked on. Pursuant to 1926.652(a)(2), “Protective systems shall have the capacity to resist without failure all loads that are intended or could reasonably be expected to be applied or transmitted to the system.” There are many different reasons why a trench may inadvertently collapse.
- Soil Stability: Contractors may attempt to create a trench in the wrong type of soil. Generally speaking, trenches should not be created in Type C soil, which is the weakest and most susceptible to cave-ins.
- Vibrations: If heavy equipment is used near a trench, this can cause the soil to shift and potentially lay the groundwork for a collapse.
- Water Accumulation: Rain or groundwater may weaken the sides of a trench. OSHA has specifically indicated that water inside of a trench is a major red flag.
- Protective Systems: A trench may lack adequate bracing or shoring systems to prevent the sides from caving in.
When a worker is injured in Massachusetts, they will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. Under the system, there is no need for an injured worker to demonstrate fault. They are able to receive benefits, regardless of how an accident may have taken place. In addition to workers’ compensation, a worker may also have recourse through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from the worker’s employer contributed to an accident.
Third-Party Liability for Massachusetts Trench Collapse Accidents
These accidents tend to be complex and may involve numerous liable parties.
- General Contractor: A general contractor may face liability for an accident if they had control over site safety. For example, they may have failed to follow OSHA regulations and ensure that a competent person oversaw the excavation of a trench.
- Excavation Subcontractor: The subcontractors that were responsible for digging a trench could also be responsible. They may have dug a trench that was too deep or failed to properly reinforce it.
- Engineering Firm: Construction companies routinely hire third-party engineering firms to perform soil classification and testing. If this firm misclassified soil or failed to warn about potential groundwater, this may be construed as negligence.
Construction sites are often made up of a blend of different companies that work together to accomplish the same goal. It is important to probe the status of all contractors who were responsible for creating a trench. This can help reveal several sources of recovery beyond workers’ compensation. Injured workers should carefully consider all of their legal options. One of the best things to do after any trench collapse is to seek the guidance of an experienced construction accident attorney.
Are Trench Collapses Common?
Trench collapses remain a major cause of serious injury and death at construction sites across Massachusetts and the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Injuries and deaths related to trench collapses continue to happen. From the years 2003 to 2017, there were a total of 373 trenching deaths. More than 80% of those deaths happened in the construction industry. Workers do not often survive trench collapses, but we can prevent them.”
Investigating Cape Cod Trench Collapse Accidents
DiBella Law extends our best wishes to all of the workers injured in this South Yarmouth trench collapse. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about this accident should reach out to OSHA. Several questions still need to be answered. Was a competent person overseeing the excavation of this trench? Were the sides of the trench properly shored and braced? What is the soil classification of the area where the trench was dug?
If you or someone that you care about been injured in a Massachusetts trench collapse accident, contact us today. Our team of experienced Boston construction accident attorneys is here to assist you. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help with your particular situation, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.