Worker Operating Heavy Equipment in Sandpit Killed by Mudslide in Poteet Area

According to a KSAT News report, a worker died in a mudslide while operating heavy equipment in a sandpit in the Poteet area.

Police reported the accident happened at around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1st, at the Sand Plant of Signal Peak Silica of Atascosa at 16760 State Highway 16 near Poteet. A 30-year-old worker was operating heavy equipment at the bottom of a sandpit when he was caught in a mudslide. The mudslide turned the equipment over and filled the cabin where the worker was sitting with mud, making it difficult for first responders to reach the scene. The worker was pronounced dead at the scene. It was unclear what caused the mudslide. A statement from the company offered condolences and stated that the man was an employee of a third-party contractor.

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Did You Know?

Mudslides are a common type of fast-moving landslide that tends to flow in channels.

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Injuries and Wrongful Death from Landslides and Mudslides in Texas

Natural disasters like landslides and mudslides are usually nobody’s fault but can have devastating consequences on life and property across Texas.

In the United States, only 25 to 50 people per year lose their lives to a mud or landslide—it’s not a common event, nor is it usually deadly. But, as evidenced by the above report, sometimes a mud or landslide can kill. Can you be compensated for an injury or a loved one lost to mud or a landslide in Texas? Let’s take a look.

Why Do Mudslides and Landslides Happen?

Landslides occur when a slope is affected by either a natural event or human activity, such as:

• A drought,
• Heavy rain,
• Earthquakes,
• Mining,
• Construction,
• and Farming.

Similarly, a mudslide can result from natural or human activity. Mudslides most often occur on steep slopes, where the ground, rock, and debris are heavily saturated. For example, they can develop after extended periods of heavy rain following drought conditions or during a hurricane or tornado.

How Do Mudslides and Landslides Cause Injury or Death?

Landslides and mudslides can cause injury or death when:

• They dump heavy and rapidly moving debris, causing traumatic injuries to people in their path.
• They bury motorists, pedestrians, or workers in fast-moving dirt and debris, causing death or fatal injury.
• They break electrical, gas, water, or sewage lines, leading to injury or death.
• They cover the roadways in debris, putting motorists in danger or limiting emergency responses, resulting in injury or death.

When Can I Sue for an Injury or Wrongful Death from a Landslide or Mudslide in Texas?

You usually can’t sue for an injury or wrongful death caused by a landslide or mudslide in Texas.

Natural disasters such as this are usually nobody’s fault—they are caused by uncontrollable circumstances and don’t involve negligence, which is required for a personal injury or wrongful death case. This is called an “Act of God” defense in legal speak.

However, mudslides or landslides can be caused by negligence in rare circumstances. Examples of potentially liable (legally responsible) parties can include:

• Mining Companies — If they mine excessively or extract too much groundwater in high-risk areas, causing a landslide.
• Construction Companies — If they are careless with construction work, causing a landslide.
• Employers — If they ignored the risk of a landslide or mudslide, endangering employees.
• Property Owners — If they were aware of the risk of a mudslide or landslide on their property and ignored it, leading to injury.

If you suspect that negligence may have contributed to your injury or a wrongful death caused by a land or mudslide, talk to a personal injury attorney about your case. They can explain exactly what laws apply in your case and if you have grounds for a legal claim.

Injured or Lost a Loved One to a Mudslide or Landslide in Texas? Call Shaw!

If you were hurt in a landslide or mudslide or lost a loved one to a land or mudslide anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Surgeries,
• Missed Work,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Burial Expenses,
• Funeral Expenses,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced personal injury or workers’ comp attorney in San Antonio. You’ll get the legal advice you need at no cost, with no obligation to hire the firm attached. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first.

We look forward to serving you.

 

¹KSAT Report

²CDC on Landslides and Mudslides