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Worker’s family could receive workers’ compensation benefits

On Behalf of | Aug 9, 2013 | Firm News, Workers' Compensation

Everyone is horrified by the news of the death of a coworker. They sympathize with surviving family members and provide their condolences. However, few people consider the realities of life without a family member beyond the emotional devastation. Fortunately, states such as North Carolina require employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits for their employees in case they are injured or killed while they are completing their job responsibilities. The family of a deceased man will likely qualify for such benefits after a tragic accident took the life of their loved one.

A 38-year-old male employee of Boeing was working on a platform, assembling a plane, when the accident happened. Several employees noted a gap between some platforms and the plane. Later on, one employee witnessed the victim fall in the gap. 

The man died from his injuries several days later. An investigation conducted by OSHA found that Boeing had no violations in the events surrounding the man’s death. However, they did provide recommendations for safety measures that could potentially prevent similar accidents in the future.

The recommendations and lack of violations are of little comfort to the man’s grieving family. In addition to their grief, they will have to cope with the cost of a funeral as well as the pile of hospital bills that will likely result from his treatment before his death. The financial stresses are compounded by the fact that they will no longer receive his income. While workers’ compensation benefits will likely cover these expenses, the process can sometimes be lengthy and complicated. However, there are actions that those in North Carolina who feel they are entitled to such compensation can take in order to ease their way through the process.

Source: live5news.com, “No violations found in death of worker at N. Charleston plant,” July 30, 2013

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