Construction workers and their families in certain areas in North Carolina have reason to be concerned about the safety on work sites. Although the state-regulated workers’ compensation is here to have the backs of injured workers, the possibility of losing a loved one in an on-the-job accident is real. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited four companies in Charlotte for safety violations that led to several fatalities since 2017.
According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, the investigation into the death of a 24-year-old worker in May led to fines totaling more than $20,000 for the construction company. Four serious safety violations were identified. Reportedly, they all related to the failure to provide a work site free of known hazards that could lead to death or serious physical injury or harm.
Reportedly, the worker’s death followed his fall from an elevator that was 19 stories above ground level. Although rescue crews rushed to the scene, the man suffered fatal injuries, and any help was too late. While the enforcement in the form of the fines might prevent similar tragedies in the future, they came too late to save the family of this worker the trauma of losing a loved one.
Although no amount of money could bring back a deceased loved one, surviving family members will likely be eligible for assistance to ease the financial burden. A North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney with experience in dealing with benefits claims can assist with the legal and administrative proceedings. Benefits typically cover end-of-life expenses along with a financial package to make up for lost wages.
