Trevor Kilgore's life took a terrifying turn when he was buried alive in a trench collapse. The memory of those terrifying moments has haunted him ever since, leaving him with nightmares and insomnia. As his medical providers note, "all he sees is dirt." Kilgore was an employee of Edwards Enterprises, a subcontractor on a home development in Bondurant last year. On June 12, 2023, while working at the bottom of a trench to connect water and sewer lines, the excavation wall fell on him, covering him completely before rescuers could free him. In a lawsuit filed last week and first reported by KCCI-TV, Kilgore alleges that his injuries, including lingering post-traumatic stress, could have been avoided. He claims that his employer and several other companies working on the project ignored numerous state and federal safety regulations that would have protected him from "almost certain injury or death."

Key Safety Violations

The excavation of the 10- to 12-foot-deep trench failed to follow safety guidelines. It should have sloped down at 45 degrees or less depending on soil conditions, or been reinforced with shoring or boxes to prevent caving in. Kilgore's employer also failed to conduct mandatory inspections of the dig site, allowed workers to use heavy equipment up to the trench's edge in violation of regulations, and did not even have a ladder on site. A Bondurant firefighter had to provide one to help him climb out after being freed. 1: These safety violations are truly alarming. The lack of proper slope and reinforcement put Kilgore's life at extreme risk. Allowing heavy equipment near the trench's edge was a blatant disregard for safety protocols. And the absence of a ladder made it even more difficult for him to escape once the trench collapsed. Such negligence is unacceptable and could have had tragic consequences. 2: The fact that these violations occurred shows a serious lack of attention to safety on the part of the companies involved. It is the responsibility of employers and contractors to ensure the safety of their workers. By ignoring these regulations, they put not only Kilgore but also other workers at risk. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict safety measures on construction sites.

Legal Actions

The lawsuit names Gregg Edwards, owner of Edwards Enterprises, and a coworker who was steering an excavator at the lip of the trench when it collapsed as defendants. Kilgore is also suing Jerry's Homes, the developer and general contractor, and R&D Plumbing, the primary plumbing contractor for the project. Kilgore's attorneys declined to comment beyond the allegations in their complaint. An attorney for Edwards did not return a message seeking comment. Other defendants do not yet have attorneys listed. 1: The legal actions taken by Kilgore are a necessary step in seeking justice for the injuries he sustained. By naming the responsible parties, he is holding them accountable for their actions or inactions. It is important that these cases are thoroughly investigated and that the law takes its course to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. 2: The lack of response from some of the defendants' attorneys only adds to the complexity of the situation. It is crucial that all parties involved cooperate fully with the legal process to get to the bottom of what happened. Only then can appropriate measures be taken to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.

Aftermath and Lessons Learned

When the trench wall gave way, Kilgore was able to fall in a way that maintained an air pocket he could breathe in, and fellow workers were able to free his head within minutes. But it took more than 30 minutes to completely free him and move him to an ambulance. He was transported to a hospital with injuries to his legs, head, shoulders, back, and hips. 1: The quick action of his fellow workers in freeing his head was a lifesaver. However, the delay in completely freeing him and getting him to medical attention highlights the need for better emergency response procedures on construction sites. Every second counts in such situations, and delays can have serious consequences. 2: This incident has taught us valuable lessons about the importance of safety on construction sites. It is not enough to simply have regulations in place; they must be enforced and adhered to. Companies need to take a proactive approach to safety and invest in the necessary equipment and training to prevent such tragedies from happening.