In North Carolina and across the country, there are several types of work that are known to be more inherently dangerous than other jobs. Construction work is one of them. The industry promotes safety and employers are obligated to provide proper training and equipment to reduce the chances of a workplace accident. Employees who suffer on-the-job injuries can file workers’ compensation claims to collect benefits that provide financial supplement during recovery.
Some workers never fully recover from workplace injuries. Some are left with disabilities that prevent them from returning to work. Others suffer fatal injuries on the job, as in the recent case of a woman who was working on an asphalt crew. A passenger vehicle struck her, and sadly, she did not survive. The driver of the vehicle is facing criminal charges, including felony DWI and felony hit and run.
How the workers’ compensation program can help following a fatal accident
The workers’ compensation program includes death benefits, which are paid out to eligible family members of a deceased North Carolina worker. There are numerous rules regarding the application process, one of which is that a family must file the death benefits claim within two years of their loved one’s passing. Beneficiaries must have been wholly dependent on the decedent’s income; in some cases, this dependence is presumed, such as in the case of a spouse or minor child.
Death benefits under the North Carolina workers’ compensation system provide grieving families financial supplements based on a percentage of the decedent’s income. The application process is complex and making a mistake could cause delays or prevent someone from collecting benefits. This is why it is always best to seek legal support before filing a claim.
