Every year, North Carolina keeps track of how many workplace deaths occur. The hope is to look at what went wrong and try to prevent future deaths from occurring. Of the 48 statewide workplace deaths that happened in 2016, two of them occurred in Forsyth County.
One was a roofer who fell from a roof. The other was an operator at a construction site whose equipment had overturned.
Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry says it’s awful to hear about falls, struck-bys and other kinds of accidents that can often be prevented with proper safety training and personal protective equipment.
It’s important to make sure you’re always following proper safety guidelines while at work. Statistics show that construction is the most dangerous type of work; manufacturing came in second. Simple things such as wearing a hardhat and other protective gear can go a long way in ensuring your safety.
Should the worst happen and you or a loved one suffer from a fatal workplace accident, know that you or your dependents are entitled to workers’ compensation. Dependents may be entitled to 500 weeks of pay at ⅔ of the deceased employee’s weekly pay.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult no matter the circumstances, but dealing with a workers’ compensation case on top of everything else can make an already awful situation exponentially worse. If you find yourself in this situation, be sure to contact an attorney at Oxner + Permar. We can help guide you through this process and take some of the stress out of a very difficult time.
If you have any questions about a wrongful death case or need guidance on how to proceed, be sure to contact an experienced attorney at Oxner + Permar for a free consultation.
