A family in San Rafael recently lost a loved one in a fatal workplace accident. Along with their heartache, they will likely also have to cope with unanticipated expenses and lost income. This is where the California workers’ compensation system typically comes into play by providing survivors’ benefits.
Employers are typically required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. According to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, this 37-year-old victim was an employee of a tree removal company. He was contracted by a homeowners’ association to remove some trees. The details of the circumstances that led up to the worker’s death were not reported in detail.
Authorities in the sheriff’s office noted that one of the trees fell over and struck the worker. He suffered traumatic injuries to his body and head. Paramedics say they arrived to find the worker in cardiopulmonary arrest, and there was not much they could do. Sadly, he died before they could transport him to the hospital. A Cal/OSHA spokesperson says employee safety and training will be the focus of the investigation that is already underway.
Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, the surviving family members of the deceased tree worker can proceed with a claim for survivors’ benefits. An experienced California workers’ compensation attorney can assist throughout administrative and legal proceedings. Benefits typically cover the costs of end-of-life arrangements and a financial package to make up for lost income to help with rental or mortgage and day-to-day living expenses for a specified period of time.