Most Nebraska residents expect their workplaces to be safe. Yet, the frightening reality is that danger lurks in every profession, oftentimes leading to workplace injuries. While some of these injuries are quite minor, others are very serious. In the worst cases, workers are killed in workplace accidents.
A study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the point. There, the agency analyzed workplace deaths that occurred in 2018, finding that more than 5,000 people died as a result of one of these instances. A significant portion of these deaths, about 40%, occurred in the transportation industry, which includes the trucking industry. Those in the construction industry also face an increased risk of workplace death. These workers are susceptible to being caught in machinery, falling from heights, and being struck by falling objects.
Suddenly losing a loved one to a workplace accident is nothing short of tragic. In many of these cases, surviving family members have to try to find a way to cope with their emotional pain while at the same time figure out how to make ends meet. After all, the loss of a loved one can have a devastating financial impact on a family. Medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost wages can all wreak havoc on a family’s financial well-being. Without proper support, these families face dire circumstances.
Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case. Surviving family members have the opportunity to seek out workers’ compensation death benefits. If successful in seeking out these benefits, a family can find the stability needed to move on with life in remembrance of their lost loved one. This isn’t always an easy process, though, as certain legal requirements must be met. For this reason, it is often wise to address these matters with the help of legal counsel.