Construction zones are among the most dangerous work environments. Workers on these job sites are subjected to environmental hazards, heavy machinery, chemicals, and other potential dangers on a daily basis.
When St. Louis fatal construction accidents happen, families may be left facing grave financial vulnerabilities in addition to tremendous grief from the loss of their loved one. When you lose someone you love in this way, a compassionate construction accident attorney can investigate what happened and help you seek full and fair compensation for your family. Our team at OnderLaw will be by your side every step of the way as you navigate this difficult time.
Fatal construction accidents in St. Louis can occur from any number of tragic circumstances. Sometimes, these incidents happen even when all necessary precautions are taken to ensure the safety and well-being of workers on the site. In other cases, someone’s negligence played a role in the deadly accident.
Falls are one of the leading causes of fatal accidents for construction workers. In these zones, construction workers must often work with scaffolding or ladders at great heights. If the worker loses balance and falls, a tragic outcome may ensue. A trip or slip and fall in a construction zone over electric wiring or cords can also lead to catastrophic or deadly injuries.
Accidents where a worker is struck by a large object or equipment, such as building materials or work vehicles, are also commonly cited causes of fatalities in construction zones. Machines such as bulldozers and excavators can be deadly if a worker ends up in the pathway of this construction equipment, leading to tremendous crushing and internal injuries.
Construction workers must often work in close proximity to live power lines and exposed wiring. If a worker does not have sufficient protection or training, or any safety protocols are breached in the slightest, an electrocution incident could occur. Exposure to these electrical hazards can also lead to fires or explosions that cause fatal burns.
When you lose a loved one in a fatal construction accident in St. Louis, you may be entitled to claim compensation from multiple parties. First, certain surviving dependents are eligible to claim weekly survival benefits if the construction worker dies because of injuries sustained on the job. These dependents would typically be the spouse of the decedent or their children.
The survival benefits payable to any dependents would be based on 66 2/3 percent of the construction worker’s average earnings in the year before their death. The construction worker’s spouse could receive these weekly survival benefits for the rest of their life. Should the spouse remarry at some point in the future, they would receive a single payment for 24 months of survival benefits.
The child of a construction worker who succumbed to their injuries could receive survivor benefits until they become an adult. However, these benefits can be paid out longer if they are a full-time student or have a disability. In addition to survival benefits, dependents can claim compensation for funeral costs up to $5,000.
In addition to financial remedies through the workers’ compensation system, family members of the deceased construction worker could be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit if a third party apart from the employer was responsible for the accident. A wrongful death lawsuit could help the family recover compensation for medical bills, pain, suffering, and other losses stemming from the death of a loved one in a construction accident.
When you suffer the unimaginable loss of a family member in a St. Louis fatal construction accident, a caring lawyer at OnderLaw can explain your legal rights and dig deeper into the circumstances behind this tragic ordeal. When your family member dies while on the job, certain relatives can claim survival benefits through the employer’s workers’ compensation carrier.
However, suppose someone’s negligence contributed to your loved one’s fatal construction accident. In that case, you may also have grounds to file a wrongful death case or a survival action seeking additional compensation. Our trusted attorneys can provide compassionate, unwavering legal representation in seeking financial recovery.
You do not and should not have to face this time alone. You deserve to have an experienced legal team in your corner that will fight for your rights and seek justice from all parties involved, whether through aggressive settlement negotiations or vigilant advocacy in the courtroom. Contact OnderLaw today to schedule a free, confidential case consultation.
