Construction workers’ accident results in death of one

On Behalf of | Oct 14, 2011 | Workers' Compensation |

Each year, thousands of workplace injuries happen across the country. Luckily, most of the incidents are relatively minor. Even so, the injured worker may be entitled to benefits through hir or her state’s workers’ compensation system. These benefits provide compensation to most workers who suffer from job-related injuries or illnesses and are generally paid regardless of fault. Sadly, in some cases it’s not an injured worker who receives these benefits but rather the family of a worker who was killed on the job, such as the case of an Illinois construction worker’s accident late last month.

The incident occurred on Interstate 71 near Lockport around 9:40 on a Friday morning, where employees working for a contractor hired by the Department of Transportation were repaving a segment of the highway. A 46-year old worker had asphalt truck in reverse when he hit and killed a 28-year old heavy equipment operator. According to an Illinois State Police officer, the truck’s back-up warning signal was operational, so it is unclear why the man who was killed didn’t move out of the way.

In this construction workers’ accident, the driver of the truck was cited for improper backing. However, the family of the deceased man could also be entitled to benefits through Illinois’ workers’ compensation and would likely benefit from the guidance of an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney. According to the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission, the beneficiaries of a worker who is killed on the job could be eligible for up to $8,000 in burial costs as well as ongoing payments to account for the deceased workers’ lost income. A lawyer who handles Illinois workers’ compensation claims is familiar with the system and can make sure that every action is taken to provide the family of the deceased worker with everything to which they could be entitled.

Source: The Herald News, “Construction worker killed when truck backs over him,” Oct. 1, 2011

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