New York City Fatal Workplace Injury Lawyer

The loss of a family member or loved one is one of the most challenging and devastating obstacles we can face in our lives. Unfortunately, that anguish can be magnified if your family member is killed suddenly in a workplace accident. The unexpected nature of the loss can be devastating for families. To make matters worse, sometimes the victim was the primary wage earner of the household. The sudden loss of their income can create a financial burden that adds to the considerable stress a family is already suffering from.

Thankfully, there are legal protections in place for families who face these atrocities. In the aftermath of a loss, families can seek compensation for the damages they have encountered. If you or someone you know has lost a family member to a workplace injury in New York, contact Shulman & Hill today for a free case review.

New York City Fatal Workplace Accidents

The Federal Bureau of Labor estimates that there are approximately 5,000 workplace accidents annually that result in death. The construction industry alone is responsible for nearly half of them.

However, fatal accidents are not limited to construction. The types of workers who are particularly at risk of a fatal workplace accident include the following.

Construction Workers

This is an industry that frequently relies on dangerous tools and heavy machinery. The increased risk of fatality in the construction field comes mostly from slips, trips, and falls from heights accidents. They are also at risk of being crushed or hit by heavy machinery, like cranes and forklifts.

Roofers

Roofers in New York are constantly at risk of a fatal accident due to the high elevations they work from. Many times they are ascending or descending ladders while carrying tools or roofing materials. Simply walking and moving around on a roof puts them at risk of falling.

Mechanics

In order to keep our cars and trucks running, New York City’s mechanics rely on heavy or dangerous equipment and materials. A common cause of fatal accidents is vehicles rolling off of lifts and jacks onto mechanics.

Delivery Drivers

The sheer number of businesses and stores in New York means that delivery drivers are often on the move all day long. While they spend their time getting our groceries, produce, cargo, and even clothes and laundry where it needs to be, they are in constant danger of being involved in a fatal traffic accident.

Sanitation Workers

When it comes to undervalued and underappreciated work, our city’s sanitation workers are at the top of the list. On top of that, they are constantly at an elevated risk of fatality due to auto crashes. Since they often need to leave the truck to collect garbage and recycling, they are frequently at risk of being hit while walking between the curb and truck. Many are killed as a result.

Firefighters

Responsible for keeping the homes and businesses of New York safe, firefighters frequently find themselves in dangerous situations in their line of employment. In addition to fatal burns and smoke inhalation, they also have a greater risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident or developing cancer after exposure to harmful chemicals.

Utility Workers

The Big Apple has a lot of powerlines and, as a result, these workers are responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining the powerlines throughout the city. When repairing and installing underground and above-ground power lines, utility workers deal with incredible amounts of power that can be deadly in fractions of a second. Frequent causes for death among those in this field are electrocution and exposure to toxic chemicals and substances. Fall from heights accidents can happen as well.

Pursuing Damages After a Fatal New York City Accident

Like any accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses in the event of a fatal workplace accident in New York City. There are substantial damages that both victims and their surviving family members may suffer as a result of dangerous jobs in New York.

Funeral Expenses

Burial expenses, coffins, cremations, and flower arrangements to honor your loved one are customary for many New York City families. Of course, celebrating the life of a loved one can be costly. In some cases, workers’ compensation and/or a personal injury lawsuit may help recoup some of these expenses.

Medical Expenses

Even after your loved one has passed, you may still find yourself sifting through a pile of medical bills. Even if medical treatment failed to keep your loved one alive, these bills still need to be paid.

Non-Financial Expenses

A loved one is far more than a paycheck. This can be especially true when you lose your spouse and have children to take care of. The guidance, nurturing, and love they could have given to your children is irreplaceable. As a result, it can be difficult to quantify the extent of this loss financially.

A trained attorney from Shulman & Hill can help you seek compensation for these losses. While money cannot bring your loved one back, it may help to alleviate any financial burdens you have.

Why Shulman & Hill?

It can be difficult to file claims after a loved one has passed. Once the lawsuit is filed, there is also the challenge of trying to get a fair settlement from the insurer.

By leveraging the legal team at Shulman & Hill, you are gaining an ally that an insurer can negotiate with. An attorney at Shulman & Hill can be your advocate and expert negotiator throughout the entire legal process. If the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, our attorneys will not hesitate to go to trial. Contact Shulman & Hill today for a free legal consultation.