The loss of a family member or loved one is one of the most challenging and devastating obstacles we 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 close-knit families. To make matters worse, sometimes the victim was the primary breadwinner of the household. This can leave an entire family wondering how they are going to pay bills, afford rent, and put food on the table.
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.
Fatal Accidents In The Workplace
The statistics created by the Federal Bureau of Labor show that there are approximately 5,000 workplace accidents annually that result in death. While the fatalities are spread across many industries, the construction industry alone is responsible for nearly half of them. With construction being so prevalent in New York, residents should be aware of the risks and the remedies of these dangers.
Where Can Fatal Workplace Accidents Happen?
Unfortunately, any job can produce a fatal accident. Like other accidents, the main catalyst for fatal workplace accidents is often negligence in one form or another. This negligence frequently occurs in the form of dangerous working conditions. Some of the occupations where fatalities can occur include:
Construction Workers
This is an industry that frequently needs to make use of very dangerous tools and materials. The increased risk of fatality in the construction field comes mostly from slips, trips, and fall accidents.
Roofing
No matter if their specialty is residential or commercial buildings, roofers in New York are in a state of constant risk of a fatal accident. Many times they are ascending or descending ladders while carrying tools or roofing materials, other times they need to safely navigate moving around on the roof while performing their job. The common fatalities in this job are falling from a roof or ladder.
Mechanics
While mechanics are keeping cars and trucks up and running, they frequently use large, heavy, or dangerous equipment and materials. The majority of fatal accidents by mechanics are from accidents involving tools, equipment, or transportation.
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 fatal injury in the form of potential traffic accidents.
Garbage Collectors
When it comes to undervalued and underappreciated work, our city’s garbage collectors 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 the garbage, they are frequently at risk of being hit while walking. 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. Primarily, they face an increased risk of fatality from traffic accidents. Secondary causes of death are, to no one’s surprise, explosions and fires.
Powerline 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 (both underground and overhead). Often operating specialized vehicles, tools, and other equipment, they 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 often come into play as well.
Pursuing Damages
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.
Funerary Expenses
Your family may be plagued by the final funerary expenses for your loved one. Burial expenses, coffins, cremations, and even flower arrangements to honor your loved one are customary for many in New York City. Of course, celebrating the life of a loved one can be costly and may even require hiring professional help in some circumstances.
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 love and nurturing they could have given to these 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 to cover these expenses. They can also compile evidence and conduct an investigation if the opposition attempts to argue the validity of these losses.
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. If at all possible, it is best to do this without having to go to court.
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 court if needed. Contact Shulman & Hill today for a free consultation.