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Workers’ compensation claims may follow after fatal work accident

On Behalf of | Feb 26, 2016 | Industrial Workers' Accidents |

An out-of-state construction accident that took the lives of two construction workers occurred recently. Investigators were on the scene to deconstruct what lead to the fatal accident. When California construction workers suffer fatal work injuries, they or their surviving family members typically file workers’ compensation claims in order to obtain death benefits.

Construction workers were in the process of lifting a large generator unit onto a building that is set to be the new headquarters of the Whippany Fire Company when the accident occurred. While a crane raised the generator, one of the three large straps that was holding the generator apparently snapped, falling on two workers. Investigators are currently unsure whether heavy winds or a faulty strap caused the breakage.

First responders were seen huddling around the large generator, trying to determine the tragic accident’s cause. An inspector will be dispatched to the construction site to conduct an investigation, a spokeswoman from OSHA said. In addition to OSHA, other safety officials will begin their respective investigations, including the Morris County Prosecutors Office. The identities of the workers have yet to be released.

The workers’ compensation program in the state of California aims to provide workers’ compensation death benefits to the immediate family members of deceased workers — spouses, children, parents or siblings — who were also financially dependent on those individuals. The main purpose of the benefit is to compensate dependent family members for the loss of financial support when workers suffer fatal work injuries. This compensation is also often used to help alleviate some of the end-of-life expenses that are often incurred by a decedent’s family, including medical bills and burial costs. It is typical to consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to assist with this process.

Source: abc7ny.com, “New Jersey construction accident kills 2 workers“, Tim Fleischer, Feb. 18, 2016

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