Death benefits from a fatal workplace accident

When a worker dies in the line of duty, family members lose more than a loved one. They also lose a provider who may have been the sole breadwinner. Without a stable and assured source of income, it could leave them financially vulnerable, and life may never be the same again.

Luckily, death benefits exist to compensate survivors for the loss of financial support arising from a fatal workplace accident.

Who can claim death benefits?

Usually, death benefits can be claimed by family members of the deceased -the spouse and children. Other dependents, too, can claim death benefits if they can prove that they were relying on the deceased for basic upkeep like food or rent.

What do these benefits cover, and how long do they last?

Workers’ compensation death benefits cover lost wages and reasonable funeral expenses. However, the benefits under worker’s compensation do not cover the emotional pain and anguish caused by the loss of your loved one.

Payment of death benefits is done periodically, usually weekly, with several factors determining the amount and duration of the benefits. For instance, the number of dependents and their extent of dependency will weigh in on the payable rates. It is important to note that the law puts a cap on the recoverable death benefits dependents can receive.

Have you lost a loved one in a fatal workplace accident?

It is advisable to seek help and get the maximum coverage after losing a loved one to a fatal workplace accident. Computing the amount of compensation is sometimes a complex process that may be difficult to comprehend. 

Given that your family’s financial security could be on the line in the wake of tragedy, you cannot leave anything to chance. If your loved one was killed in a workplace accident, find out more about your legal options.