Workers' Comp

Two Workers Killed in Stockton Trench Collapse on North El Dorado Street

Raul Cristostomo De La Cruz and Raul Zepeda · Stockton, California

By Carrazco Law News Editorial Team · August 8, 2026

📅 August 8, 2026 📍 Stockton, CA ⏱ ~5 min read

Raul Cristostomo De La Cruz and Raul Zepeda: two construction workers found dead after a 10-foot trench caved in at a supermarket project

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA (August 8, 2026): Two construction workers died when the walls of a roughly 10-foot-deep trench collapsed at a tenant-improvement project for a La Tapatia supermarket in the 7900 block of North El Dorado Street near East Hammer Lane, according to the Stockton Fire Department as reported by CBS Sacramento. The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner identified the men as Raul Cristostomo De La Cruz, 34, and Raul Zepeda, 49. They were last seen entering the trench on Friday, August 7, at about 5:30 p.m. to take measurements for a grease-interceptor installation, and a coworker found the collapse the next morning, CBS Sacramento reported.

Stockton Fire was called at about 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 8. Deputy Chief Erik Patten told CBS Sacramento it appeared the trench walls had caved in, and fire officials said no shoring was in place. After a technical rescue with heavy equipment from Stockton Public Works, both men were found dead at the scene. Stocktonia reported the men may have been trapped for roughly 12 hours and that the project was not a city job. City records cited by CBS Sacramento show permits were pulled by TJ Construction; the victims' direct employer has not been released. Cal/OSHA has opened an investigation, which it has up to six months to complete.

Liability for San Joaquin County Trench Collapses

California Labor Code § 6400 (safe workplace) requires every employer to provide a safe place of employment, and 8 C.C.R. § 1541.1 (trench and excavation protective systems) requires sloping, benching, shoring or a trench shield in any excavation five feet or deeper unless it is cut in stable rock. 8 C.C.R. § 1509 (Injury and Illness Prevention Program) also requires employers to identify hazards before workers are exposed. If Cal/OSHA confirms that no shoring was in place, Labor Code § 4553 (serious and willful misconduct) may increase the families' benefits by one half, and Labor Code § 3852 (third-party claims) preserves the right to sue other companies on the site.

Protective systems: Fire officials told CBS Sacramento the trench had no shoring. Investigators will ask who allowed two men into a 10-foot excavation without the protection the law requires.
Supervision: The men entered the trench late on a Friday and were not found until morning. Who was tracking workers, and had a competent person inspected the excavation?
Multiple contractors: TJ Construction pulled the permits, but the men's direct employer has not been released. General contractors, subcontractors and the property owner may each carry separate duties.
Soil conditions: Water, vibration, previously disturbed soil and nearby loads affect trench stability, and Cal/OSHA's findings on soil classification will shape both citations and any civil claim.

Workers' compensation under Labor Code § 3600 (workers' compensation coverage) applies to a death on the job regardless of fault. Labor Code § 4700 to § 4702 (death benefits and burial expenses for dependents) provide burial expenses and installment death benefits that, depending on the number of total dependents, can reach $320,000. Those benefits do not compensate grief or loss of companionship; a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent third party, such as a general contractor or property owner that controlled the site, can.

Steps to Take After a San Joaquin County Trench Collapse

According to federal OSHA, trench cave-ins are among the deadliest hazards in construction, and a single cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car.

Request the Cal/OSHA file: Ask for the inspection number and, when the case closes, the citations, photographs and witness statements.
Identify every company on the site: Obtain the permits and any subcontract showing who employed Mr. De La Cruz and Mr. Zepeda.
File the workers' compensation death claim: Notify the employer's insurance carrier in writing. Spouses, children and other dependents may qualify.
Preserve evidence: Send preservation letters so excavation equipment, soil samples, daily logs, training records and site cameras are not discarded.
Speak with witnesses early: The coworker who found the trench can describe how it was cut and whether shoring was available.

Under Labor Code § 5405, a workers' compensation death claim generally must be filed within one year, and under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, a third-party wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the death. If a public entity is found to share responsibility, a government claim must be presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.

Investigating San Joaquin County Trench Collapses

We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the families of Raul Cristostomo De La Cruz and Raul Zepeda. Why were two workers sent into a 10-foot trench without shoring, sloping or a trench shield? Who was responsible for confirming that both men had left the excavation at the end of the day?

Do you have questions about a San Joaquin County trench collapse? Our team is here for you. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.

Legal Context

Applicable California Law

8 C.C.R. § 1541.1: Trench and excavation protective systems required at five feet or deeper
California Labor Code § 6400: Employer duty to provide a safe workplace
California Labor Code § 4700 to § 4702: Death benefits and burial expenses for dependents
California Labor Code § 4553: Increased compensation for serious and willful misconduct
California Labor Code § 3852: Third-party claims beyond workers' compensation

Liability Analysis

Fire officials told CBS Sacramento the 10-foot trench had no shoring, which, if confirmed by Cal/OSHA, would point to a violation of 8 C.C.R. § 1541.1 and could support a serious and willful misconduct claim against the employer under Labor Code § 4553. The victims' direct employer has not been released, and permits were pulled by TJ Construction, so the general contractor, any subcontractor and the property owner may carry separate duties that could support third-party wrongful death claims. Cal/OSHA's findings on soil conditions and site supervision will shape both the citations and any civil case.

Statute of Limitations

A workers' compensation death claim generally must be filed within one year under Labor Code § 5405. A third-party wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, and a claim against any public entity must be presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2.

If You've Been Affected by a Similar Incident

Past results from Carrazco Law, A.P.C. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

$22 Million

Trial and Settlement

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI): Construction accident.

Source

$7.05 Million

Confidential Settlement

Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Construction.

Source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the families of the two Stockton trench collapse workers entitled to workers' compensation death benefits?

Generally yes. Under Labor Code § 3600, workers' compensation covers a death that arises out of employment regardless of who was at fault, and Labor Code § 4700 to § 4702 provide burial expenses and death benefits for total and partial dependents, including a spouse, children and other relatives who relied on the worker's income. The claim is filed with the employer's insurance carrier, so identifying the direct employer at the North El Dorado Street site is the first step.

What does 8 C.C.R. § 1541.1 require for a trench like the one in Stockton?

Section 1541.1 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations requires a protective system, meaning sloping, benching, shoring or a trench shield, in any excavation five feet or deeper unless it is cut entirely in stable rock. A competent person must inspect the trench daily and after any event that could change conditions. Fire officials told CBS Sacramento that the roughly 10-foot trench had no shoring in place, which Cal/OSHA is now investigating.

Can the families sue anyone beyond the employer after a San Joaquin County trench collapse?

Workers' compensation is usually the exclusive remedy against the direct employer, but Labor Code § 3852 preserves third-party claims. A general contractor that controlled the site, a property owner, an equipment supplier or another subcontractor may be sued for wrongful death if their negligence contributed to the cave-in. Permits for the Stockton project were pulled by TJ Construction, and the workers' direct employer has not been released, so the contractual relationships on site matter.

What happens with the Cal/OSHA investigation into the Stockton trench collapse?

Cal/OSHA has up to six months to complete its investigation, according to CBS Sacramento. Inspectors examine the excavation, soil classification, protective systems, training records and supervision, and they may issue citations classified as general, serious, willful or repeat. The citations and the investigation file can be requested by the families and are often important evidence in both the workers' compensation case and any third-party wrongful death lawsuit.

How long do the families have to file claims after the Stockton trench collapse?

A workers' compensation death claim generally must be filed within one year under Labor Code § 5405, though the deadline can vary depending on when benefits were last paid. A third-party wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If any public entity is found to share responsibility, a government claim must be presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2, so families should consult an attorney early.

Were You Affected? We Can Help.

Our civil rights and personal injury attorneys are available 24/7 for a free, confidential consultation.

(800) 541-3244

💬 Mention reference CLN-2026-2454 when you call

Free Consultation · Se Habla Español

📞 Call Now Visit Our Website

📰 Source: CBS Sacramento, https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/construction-workers-killed-stockton-trench-collapse-identified/
This article is based on reporting from CBS Sacramento.

Disclosures

This article is published by Carrazco Law News for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or sharing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Carrazco Law, A.P.C. Carrazco Law is not representing any party involved in the incident described above. If you have been affected by a similar incident, consult a licensed California attorney about your specific situation.

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Carrazco Law, A.P.C. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one, please contact our office directly for a confidential consultation.