As many residents of Salem are aware, construction work can be very dangerous. On-site accidents can cause serious and permanent disability and even death. A recent accident on a construction site in Salem took the life of a construction worker who was apparently standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.
According to police reports, the man was killed when a Bobcat excavator rolled over onto him. Fellow workers were able to lift the Bobcat, but the man had suffered serious internal injuries. The man was alive when emergency responders arrived at the site, and he was taken to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, he died shortly after arriving. Very little additional information has been released. Police have not commented on the cause of the accident, and they have also not commented on whether the decedent was operating the equipment when the accident happened. The accident is being investigated by the Salem Police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
This tragedy underscores the value of the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation system. While many facts about the accident have not been disclosed, it appears reasonably certain that the decedent was working when the accident happened. Under Massachusetts workers’ compensation law, the man’s family and dependents are entitled to receive benefits that are intended to replace the income earned by the decedent. The calculation of death benefits can be complex and cannot be calculated based on the sparse facts available thus far. Nevertheless, the survivors’ entitlement to death benefits is virtually certain.
Anyone who has suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a work-related mishap is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If the claims process appears to be difficult or unduly complicated, the advice of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can provide helpful assistance.
