You may never have thought about the risk inherent in your loved one’s job because their identity was so intertwined with their career that you never stopped to question it. Unfortunately, when someone you love has a dangerous job, like commercial driving, logging or even construction, the dangers of that job could eventually mean that you lose your loved one because of their work.
Although there are many laws and safety regulations in place aimed at protecting workers from potential fatal incidents on the job, people in various careers still die in situations ranging from electrical exposure to car crashes while working.
If you have recently lost a loved one to a workplace accident or work-acquired medical condition, you have the right to seek workers’ compensation death benefits as a surviving dependent. Getting help with that application process can make a world of difference for you and any children you shared with your deceased loved one.
Small mistakes can result in delays or even decreased benefits
Filling out paperwork properly, making the wrong statement to coworkers or insurance adjusters, and even waiting to file a claim because you feel too overwhelmed to handle the paperwork can all impact your right to certain benefits as a dependent of someone who died in a work-related incident.
You generally need to file a claim within a year of the incident that led to your loved one’s death in order to receive death benefits as a surviving dependent. You will also need to ensure that you fill out and submit paperwork properly in order to maximize the benefits available to you.
Workers’ compensation is worth the effort even if you have life insurance
If your loved one carried a decent life insurance policy, you might think that you don’t need other benefits, such as workers’ compensation benefits. However, workers’ compensation can offer up to $7,500 to cover your funeral and burial costs. Both spouses and surviving dependent children can potentially receive a portion of the deceased party’s wages, possibly up to two-thirds of the average weekly wage your loved one once earned.
Reviewing your family circumstances and the incident that led to your loss with an attorney may seem like more work during a difficult time, but it will mean that you have the help you need to make a claim. Instead of being one more anonymous client at a big firm, you can contact us today or even call us at 912-289-0640 for hands-on, personal help from the lawyer handling your case.
