Benefits may stem from being injured on the job in North Carolina

Losing a life unexpectedly is a tremendous shock to family members under any circumstances. If a death occurred due to being injured on the job, it may be possible for a surviving family to qualify for workers’ compensation in order to handle some of the financial damages resulting from such an event. North Carolina residents may be interested in such a situation that recently took place in another state.

Reports stated that two workers recently lost their lives after they were involved in a trench collapse. The trench was reportedly about 9-feet deep, and, after reach a depth of 5 feet, trenches are required to have supports. It was unclear whether any protections were in place to prevent such a collapse in this incident, but an Occupational Health and Safety Administration representative stated that when such events occur, it is probable that safety measures were overlooked.

The two individuals killed in this incident were reported as being a 26-year-old man and a 36-year-old man. The cause of the deaths was reported as mechanical asphyxia due to compression. The two individuals were pronounced deceased at the work site. It was also noted that a third individual was taken to an area hospital, but further information on that person was not given.

Due to the deaths that occurred after being injured on the job in this incident, workers’ compensation may be warranted. If North Carolina residents have faced similar situations and lost loved ones due to work-related accidents or been seriously injured themselves, they may wish to learn more about possible compensation benefits. Discussing the specifics of a case with an experienced attorney may be a wise step to take for concerned parties.

Source: ktvb.com, “OSHA investigating after trench workers killed“, Dean Johnson, May 4, 2016