Surviving family of an Illinois worker killed recently in an on the job accident are mourning his loss. The man passed away after being run over by a bulldozer as he worked at a road construction site. He sustained multiple fractures and severe trauma to his skull during the fatal incident. Now, the deceased man’s family may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim as a result of his death.
The surviving family of the man is likely entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits as a result of this on the job accident. The insurance program is designed to assist those who have been injured at work, as well as the surviving family of those who suffer a fatal work accident. In this case, it appears that the man that died was at work on the construction site when the accident happened.
Investigators looking into the incident include Illinois State Police and OSHA. These agencies will report on the results of their investigations at some future point. As a part of its inquiry, OSHA may seek to determine if the lack of safety features contributed to the fatal accident.
In pressing forward with a claim for workers’ compensation death benefits, the victim’s family may be entitled to a credit for funeral expenses as well as funds to replace the worker’s lost income from employment. Though no amount of money can be expected to replace what they have lost, the death benefits that may be available could help to make ends meet at an obviously difficult time. Families in similar circumstances may take comfort in understanding that help is available to handle the paperwork and claims process so that they can focus on coming to terms with the accident and moving forward from the tragedy.
Source: pjstar.com, “Worker suffered multiple fractures in bulldozer accident,” Sept. 21, 2012