Workers in all industries have to deal with occupational hazards, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires all employers to ensure workplaces are free of known dangers. Employees must receive adequate safety training, and learn how to prevent injuries. Sadly, industrial accidents continue to claim lives nationwide, including in Illinois.
A 31-year-old man from Shorewood lost his life on a recent Monday. Reportedly, the incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. at a galvanizing plant in Joliet. According to the sheriff’s office, the worker suffered a struck-by injury that involved a steel beam. Authorities say an ambulance rushed the critically injured employee to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries later. OSHA will investigate the incident.
Any family who sees a loved one off to work, never to see him or her alive again will naturally be traumatized by the loss. While dealing with the grief, family members will also have to cope with the high costs of end-of-life arrangements and the sudden loss of income. Fortunately, help is available through the Illinois workers’ compensation insurance system.
An experienced Illinois workers’ compensation attorney can assist with the navigation of a death benefits claim. Whenever lives are lost in industrial accidents, the state-regulated insurance program accepts claims for survivors’ benefits from the dependents of an employee who died a work-related death. Benefits will cover the expenses related to a funeral and burial along with a wage-replacement package. This will be paid for a specified period to assist with the family’s day-to-day living expenses and other obligations like mortgage or rental payments.