Workplace Fatalities

A workplace fatality can be especially tough on a victim’s family. In addition to experiencing emotional trauma, the family also often loses its means of financial support. To provide for immediate needs, workers’ compensation benefits include medical bill payment and lost wages compensation. The plaintiff need not prove fault to obtain these benefits.

At Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd., we help families get the financial benefits they need. We also help families deal with the emotional consequences of wrongful death. We give our clients peace of mind because we always work hard on their behalf. Moreover, throughout the long workers’ compensation process, we always keep the lines of communication open. The end result is usually an outcome that produces both justice and compensation, which is what the deceased would have wanted.

Types of Workplace Fatalities in Chicago

Statistically, roughly 14 workers a day die on the job. The fatality rate is much higher in some high-risk areas, most notably construction and agriculture. Many times, injured workers are able to recover and return to work. Others are killed instantly after a traumatic injury; others eventually succumb to an occupational disease. Some examples of commonly fatal incidents include:

• Falls: Slip-and-fall incidents, when combined with falls from a height, are the most frequent fatalities in Chicagoland workplaces. These victims often sustain serious head injuries, which are difficult to diagnose and treat and often result in death.
• Motor Vehicle Crash: Each year, vehicle collisions kill thousands of American motorists. Despite the presence of advanced restraint and safety systems, the forces in a high-speed car crash are often overwhelming. The body simply can not take it.
• Cancer: Toxic exposure often causes cancer. Some toxins, like cigarette smoke and asbestos fibers, alter cells at the genetic level. Asbestos fibers are so small that about 20,000 of them can fit between Abraham Lincoln’s nose and beard on a penny.
• Respiratory Disease: Garden tool and other engine fumes contain trace amounts of benzene, formaldehyde, particulate matter, and other harmful substances. Over time, these particles can build up in the lungs and cause a fatal illness.

Workplace injury victims are entitled to compensation for their economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. In wrongful death situations, this compensation also includes money for other direct losses, such as funeral and burial expenses, as well as a payment for lost future financial support. In some cases, survivors may be able to file successful claims outside the workers’ compensation system. These claimants may receive compensation for their noneconomic losses, such as their grief and sorrow.

The Workers’ Compensation Process in Chicago

Most workers’ compensation claims begin with a paper review. At this stage, most claims are denied, at least in part. It is important to not give up because the chances of obtaining fair compensation increase with each passing day.

Most of these claims settle out of court. Workers’ compensation insurance companies know that the burden of proof is low, so they do not want to go to trial. If the case goes the distance, this trial usually takes place before an administrative hearing officer as opposed to a judge or jury.

Wrongful Death Claim

If we can determine that some entity who is not your employer is at fault, we will proceed in a wrongful death lawsuit against them. We will always do a thorough investigation to ensure that any liable third party is held fully accountable for their wrongdoing.

Connect with Assertive Attorneys

If your loved one was killed in a workplace accident, we can help you move on financially and emotionally. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago, contact Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. We routinely handle matters in Cook County and nearby jurisdictions.