Workplace accidents can happen in any industry. Malfunctioning and defective equipment, explosions, falls, vehicular accidents, head and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, hazardous substances; these are just some of the accidents that can occur in the workplace, and the results of these accidents can be catastrophic. In some cases, those who are involved in these types of accidents can perish immediately, and in other cases, victims can succumb to their injuries days, weeks, months, or even years after the accident occurred. The measurable damages in such a case can accumulate. Bills relating to the deceased’s medical treatment, funeral expenses, loss of future wages, loss of inheritance, loss of consortium are all integral parts of filing a wrongful death claim.
Sometimes, workplace accidents are just that: accidents. They happen without warning and there was nothing that could be done to prevent them. However, work-related accidents can be the result of sheer negligence on behalf of the employer, meaning that the accident was caused by something that the employer did or failed to do. The loved ones of victims who perished as a result of negligence can file wrongful death lawsuits against the employer. Who can file? Each state’s laws vary but spouses, parents of minors, and possibly parents of adult children or siblings may be eligible for reparation.