Most people take safety precautions in their everyday lives. They lock their doors at night, use their seat belts and obey traffic signals. Unfortunately, some people may not be fully aware of the hazards they face while completing their job duties and responsibilities. The family of one man in Illinois is likely more aware of these hazards after a fatal industrial accident.
Police arrived at Acme Industries just before noon one day in mid-April. The man had reportedly became entangled in a machine that is used to cut or shape metal and wood products. Unfortunately, the man passed away before rescue workers arrived.
While a representative for Acme has stated that the company is working to determine what caused the accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration typically conducts an investigation after industrial accidents such as this as well. If it is found that safety and health standards were violated, OSHA could recommend fines and/or citations. Police have also initiated their own investigation, though foul play is not suspected.
People who lose a loved one so unexpectedly often must deal with a variety of different emotions. While they are doing so, they may also have to cope with the financial ramifications — including paying for a funeral and dealing with a loss of wages — that are an added stress in an already challenging time. Because states such an Illinois require employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance that includes death benefits for dependent loved ones in the event of a fatal industrial accident such as this, this man’s family members are likely due some compensation to help with such costs. While the claims process can sometimes be intimidating, there are experienced professionals available to help ensure grieving family members receive all of the compensation to which they may be entitled.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “Worker dies after becoming trapped in machine at Elk Grove Village plant”, Sarah Freishtat, April 15, 2015
