For some Massachusetts residents who work in the construction or manufacturing industries, work is an inherently dangerous activity. They may perform their job duties near swiftly moving traffic, at dangerous height, or near machinery that can prove deadly. Others who don’t work in these positions may still be at risk of being injured on the job, though. Sometimes they may even be tragically killed. In these instances, surviving family members may be left struggling as they try to figure out how to cope with the loss of their loved one.
One Massachusetts family may be dealing with this now after their loved one was killed in a workplace accident. According to reports, the 51-year-old man died after falling between a big rig truck and a loading dock as the truck was pulling away. As a result, a forklift fell on the man. The exact cause of the accident remains unknown at this time.
Although it may take a significant amount of time to find emotional comfort, there may be steps that these families can take to ease their financial hardship. Through the Massachusetts workers’ compensation system, families may be able to recover death benefits. This compensation may help cover funeral costs and some of the deceased’s lost wages.
Workers’ compensation should be available to most workers in Massachusetts. Yet, simply because an employee is covered under a workers’ compensation policy does not mean that his or his family’s claim will be granted. Instead, many initial claims are denied for a variety of reasons. In an attempt to prevent this from happening, those seeking to utilize the system to their benefit should consider consulting with an attorney who may be able to help them competently navigate the workers’ compensation system.
Source: The Boston Globe, “Stop & Shop worker killed in accident at Freetown distribution center,” Travis Andersen, Jan. 25, 2017
