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Workers’ compensation in Georgia is a state-mandated insurance program that provides medical and wage-relief benefits to injured workers. It also pays death benefits to qualifying dependents after a family member suffers a work-related fatality.

Losing a loved one in a fatal work accident is a life-altering and emotionally shattering event that leaves families searching for answers and support. Your loved one’s passing likely also brings financial hardship that death benefits could help alleviate.

The law firm of R. Alan Cleveland, LLC has extensive experience helping Athens families deal with a workers’ compensation claim when a loved one dies on the job. We know this is a stressful and emotional time, so we do all we can to reduce any further stress you might experience because of filing a claim. Contact the Athens fatal work accidents attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC today for a free consultation.

What Are the Deadliest Industries and Occupations?

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the deadliest industries and professions in terms of fatal work injuries are:

While these are the most dangerous occupations, fatal workplace accidents and injuries can happen to any worker, anywhere. An American worker dies from a work-related injury approximately every 100 minutes.

What Are Common Causes of Fatal Work Accidents?

Fatal work accidents happen for many reasons, ranging from missing safety measures to human error and intentional wrongdoing. According to the National Safety Council, these are the most common causes:

Construction workers are among those at most risk for workplace fatalities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes these “fatal four” causes of construction workplace deaths that occur far too often:

  • Struck by object – Falling tools, materials, or equipment
  • Electrocutions – Contact with live wires or faulty equipment
  • Falls – Falling from heights, such as roofs, ladders, or scaffolding
  • Caught-in/between – Getting caught in moving machinery or between a piece of equipment and a fixed object

Does Georgia Workers’ Compensation Pay in the Event of a Worker’s Death?

Death benefits offer financial support to qualifying dependents following a work-related fatality. These benefits typically include:

  • Compensation for funeral, burial, and cremation expenses
  • Financial assistance for a specified period to help protect the family from financial hardship after losing a loved one’s wages and benefits
  • Compensation for medical expenses related to treating the fatal workplace injury

How Much Do Georgia Workers’ Comp Death Benefits Cover?

Georgia workers’ compensation death benefits cover funeral and burial expenses but typically extend beyond that. Dependents of the deceased worker may receive weekly income benefits based on a percentage of the worker’s average weekly wage. The victim’s spouse, children, or other dependents may receive these benefits:

  • Burial expenses – If someone dies due to a work-related accident, the employer must pay for reasonable burial expenses, up to $7,500.
  • Dependents’ weekly compensation – The employer must pay dependents two-thirds of their family member’s average weekly wage.
  • Medical expenses – When an on-the-job injury proves fatal, death benefits will cover the costs for their final injury treatment.

How Long Does Workers’ Comp Pay in the Event of a Death?

The duration of workers’ compensation death benefits in Georgia is not indefinite. Typically, a spouse’s maximum time for benefits is 400 weeks. The duration of workers’ comp benefits payments to other dependents also varies. An Athens fatal work accident lawyer can help you understand the specifics of the benefits you’re entitled to after your loved one’s death. Our Athens workers’ compensation attorney can help.

Who Can Receive the Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits in Georgia?

Georgia has a specific hierarchy of eligible dependents who may receive workers’ compensation death benefits. The potential recipients are:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Biological or adopted children and stepchildren who are under the age of 18 (22 if they are a full-time college student) or cannot support themselves

It is possible for other dependents, such as siblings or parents, to seek compensation, but the allocation of benefits is unique to each case. There are many moving parts in a fatal accident claim, so consulting an attorney for guidance is essential.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing the Workers’ Compensation Claim?

In general, surviving family members have one year to file a fatal work accident claim for death benefits. However, this deadline might vary, depending on your loved one’s injury or illness. An experienced fatal work accident attorney can determine the applicable deadlines, file your claim on time, and make your case as strong as possible.

Contact a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Filing for death benefits after losing a loved one in a fatal work accident might not be the first thing on your mind. Grief affects every family member, and working through your feelings of loss can seem overwhelming. Yet the reality for many families is that their quality of life and income declines after a loved one dies from a workplace injury.

At the law firm of R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we sympathize with your loss and will do all we can to alleviate your stress. We have a deep understanding of Georgia workers’ compensation laws and can communicate and negotiate with the employer and the state board to demand total compensation. Contact us today for your free consultation with an Athens fatal work accidents attorney to learn more.