US Department of Labor files suit alleging South Dakota construction company, Stone Hill Excavation LLC, and its successor Split Rock Sand & Gravel, wrongfully fired whistleblower for reporting work-related injury
SIOUX FALLS, SD (STL.News) The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against a Valley Springs construction contractor for the wrongful termination of an employee who reported a severe work-related injury.
An investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the employee received second- and third-degree burns from scalding water in a pressurized pipe. OSHA determined that Stone Hill Excavation LLC, and its successor Split Rock Sand & Gravel, violated the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act by firing the worker two days after the injury was reported.
The department’s suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, seeks to hold the company and its successor liable for illegal retaliation. It also calls for the employee’s reinstatement and payment of back wages and damages, including $100,000 in punitive damages.
OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of 25 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of workplace airline, anti-money laundering, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, criminal antitrust, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, maritime, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, safety and health, securities and tax laws.
© 2026 St. Louis Media, LLC d.b.a. STL.News. All rights reserved. No content may be copied, republished, distributed, or used in any form without prior written permission. Unauthorized use may result in legal action. Some content may be created with AI assistance and is reviewed by our editorial team. For official updates, visit STL.News.
