It was recently reported that a serious accident in Illinois took place earlier this month and resulted in the death of a coal miner. The individual was on the job when the incident took place, and as a result of his death, his family could potentially be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Exploring additional information on such benefits could prove valuable.
The incident reportedly took place when the worker was moving equipment with a tractor and trailer. He was moving down a steep slope, and when he was unable to successfully make a turn, the vehicle struck the mine wall. The collision caused the trailer to break away from the tractor and crashed into the driver. It crushed the driver, and it appears that he was killed instantly, though his body was not recovered until approximately three and a half hours after the incident.
Reportedly, this was the 11th coal miner killed in the country in 2015. His family, including a wife and two young children, are surely devastated over the sudden death. A retired miner stated that safety problems were not uncommon in the mine where the accident occurred.
The loss of a loved one under any circumstances is difficult for any family. The surviving family of this Illinois miner may face financial hardships on top of their emotional challenges. That could prove cumbersome. However, because the death occurred while the man was on the job, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits, which typically include reimbursement of funeral and burial expenses along with an income package for the victim’s covered dependents.
Source: wsws.com, “Illinois coal miner killed on the job“, Naomi Spencer, Dec. 23, 2015