Readers in Philadelphia know the severity of workplace accidents may differ sharply. Workers who are injured during the course of employment are nearly always entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits, regardless of fault. In the case of fatal accidents, the family of the deceased worker may be able to collect those benefits in order to cover any funeral and medical expenses, as well as make up for lost wages.

Recently, a 45-year-old woman was working as a flagger at a construction site. But tragedy struck when she was putting items into the back of pickup truck and a coworker failed to notice her. The 36-year-old coworker fatally backed the vehicle over the woman.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, and although police continue to investigate the incident, they have labeled the death as an accident. As is customary in such workplace accidents, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is conducting its own investigation into the woman's death. But as these investigations get underway, the family of the woman may wish to meet with an attorney who is experienced in the area of workers' compensation benefits.

In this case, the family may be able to receive compensation to cover their funeral expenses and the lost wages they would have otherwise received due to the woman's employment. While such compensation cannot erase the grief of losing a loved one, it may nonetheless prove helpful in ensuring that the family's emotional tragedy does not become a financial injury as well.

Source: Justice News Flash, "Centerport Woman Killed in West Lampeter Township Construction Accident," Dec. 15, 2011