Workplace Fatalities and Workers' Compensation

Workplace fatalities increased significantly statewide in 2014 according to a new report released by the Utah Labor Commission.

2014 saw 54 people die as a result of an incident while on the job, which was up nearly 46 percent from 2013.

Men accounted for 89 percent of the workplace fatalities in Utah in 2014, which was the same proportion that was reported in 2013 according to a Utah Labor Commission spokesperson.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that more than 4,600 workers are killed while performing their jobs in the United States annually. Needless to say, the fatalities are extremely devastating for family members as it is not uncommon for a family's breadwinner to be one of these victims.

Worker's compensation usually covers only a small portion of the total losses that arise following a fatal workplace accident. That is why these accidents must be thoroughly investigated by a certified personal injury attorney who specializes in workplace injury.

The survivors of many workers who have died in the workplace have legal rights to recover damages from careless property owners' insurance, manufacturers, and other companies that may have contributed to the accident.

These and other non-employers are not protected by workers' compensation laws, which means they may be required to pay compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit if their negligence contributed to the fatal accident.

Workers' compensation benefits should be available for virtually all on-the-job deaths. Benefits may include ongoing income payments to dependents, as well as coverage of funeral costs and expenses. Workers' compensation benefits are also provided to families of deceased workers, regardless of negligence.

The process of obtaining workers' compensation death benefits should be simple, but employers and insurers sometimes fail to follow the law protecting workers. As a result, getting benefits can become increasingly complicated if an initial claim is denied.

Contact a personal injury attorney today if you or a loved one has suffered a work-place injury. There are many complicated avenues that must be navigated, and having a skilled attorney to help guide you through the process can help ensure you receive the appropriate compensation for your injury or loss.