Jersey City Attorneys Advocating For Families Impacted By Fatal Workplace Accidents
When saying goodbye to a spouse or parent as they leave for work, very few people are prepared for the idea that it may be the last conversation they ever share. Yet that is the reality for too many New Jersey families.
If you’ve lost someone in a fatal workplace accident, our experienced and caring attorneys at Burke Law Firm, LLP, are ready to fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves. They understand how difficult it is to think about practical matters when grieving a death, and they are committed to handling nearly all legal work on your behalf so that you can turn your attention to taking care of yourself and those you love.
Most Common Causes And Types Of Fatal Work Accidents
Although some industries are objectively more dangerous than others, fatal workplace accidents can occur in any profession. Some of the most common deadly accident scenarios involve:
- Falls from heights: These occur when workers fall from roofs, ladders, scaffolding or elevated platforms. Such incidents are common in construction and maintenance jobs.
- Vehicle-related accidents: Includes incidents where workers are struck by vehicles or involved in transportation crashes. This is prevalent in industries like trucking and construction.
- Being struck by objects: This happens when objects fall from shelves or are dropped by cranes, leading to fatal injuries. It’s a risk in warehouses and construction sites.
- Electrocution: Occurs when workers come into contact with live wires or faulty equipment. This is a significant risk for electricians and those working near power lines.
- Caught in or between hazards: Workers getting trapped in machinery or crushed by collapsing structures. This is common in manufacturing and construction.
- Exposure to harmful substances: Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals or gases can lead to fatal illnesses. This is often seen in chemical plants and laboratories.
- Explosions and fires: Can result from faulty equipment, flammable materials or inadequate safety measures. This risk is present in industries like oil and gas.
- Workplace violence: Includes incidents where employees are harmed by co-workers, clients or others. This can happen in any workplace setting.
After losing your loved one in an accident, please don’t rely on an investigation done by the employer or an outside agency like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Instead, trust your case to our fatal workplace accidents attorneys, who will use their experience and legal knowledge to independently investigate the incident to determine how it happened and who may be liable.
Let Our Skilled Lawyers Maximize Your Fatal Work Accident Compensation
When someone is killed in a work-related accident, their dependents can seek death benefits through a fatal workers’ compensation claim. These benefits would include money to cover funeral and burial expenses and a portion of the worker’s weekly wages prior to death. Our attorneys can help you apply for these benefits and, if necessary, appeal a denied claim.
With very few exceptions, New Jersey law prohibits you from suing your family member’s employer directly for a workplace death. However, you are allowed to take legal action against other parties who may have caused or contributed to the fatal workplace accident.
Our attorneys have extensive experience pursuing what are known as third-party liability claims against subcontractors, property owners, product manufacturers, personal and commercial drivers, and others responsible for an injurious or fatal work accident. These wrongful death and survivorship lawsuits allow us to recover additional damages not provided by workers’ compensation, including pain and suffering.
Learn How Our Fatal Industrial Accident Attorneys Can Help During A Free Consultation
To tell us your story during a free initial consultation, contact us in Jersey City at 201-293-8289 or reach out online. Our firm has additional office locations in Montclair and Bayonne, and we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas of Northern New Jersey.