Fatal On the Job Accidents & Workers’ Compensation Benefits in California
The work-related death of your loved one has left you with anguish and anxiety. Not only do you dearly miss your loved one’s presence, but you also long for the emotional and financial support s/he gave to you and your family. Although there is nothing that can be done to bring him/her back, it is absolutely vital that you pursue compensation in order to protect your family’s future and help heal the losses you have sustained as a result of your loved one’s death.
At the Kenton Koszdin Law Office, our compassionate workers’ compensation attorneys can assist you with the claims process to ensure that you receive the death benefits you deserve. We understand you want to focus on your loved one’s passing and mourn in peace, which is why we are ready and willing to handle all of your legal matters for you. All you have to do is take the first step and call us at (800) 438-7734. California workers’ compensation death claims are subject to specific statutory filing guidelines, so it is in your best interest to not delay. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case evaluation.
What Are Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits in Southern California?
Workers’ compensation death benefits may be available in the following scenarios:
- A worker sustains a fatal injury because of a work-related incident (e.g., a firefighter suffers fatal burn or smoke inhalation injuries and is killed in the line of duty)
- A work-related illness or injury ultimately causes the death of the injured worker (e.g., long-term exposure to toxic chemicals causes a worker to die of cancer)
- Work conditions aggravate a preexisting illness or injury, hastening a worker’s death (e.g., police officer with hypertension suffers a heart attack due to the stress of the job)
Benefits include coverage for burial expenses as well as periodic payments (typically biweekly) paid at the total temporary disability rate. The amount of the death benefits depends on the number of total and/or partial dependents (more on this later).
Certain jobs and industries provide unique benefits to survivors in addition to the typical workers’ compensation benefits. Consult with a trusted attorney to determine whether this applies to your case.
Who Qualifies for Death Benefits?
Death benefits are designed to provide financial support for those people who will suffer most from the worker’s death – in other words, dependents. Certain family members, such as spouses and children, are presumed to be dependent without having to provide proof. Other familial relations that may qualify include unmarried cohabiting partners, stepchildren or stepparents, in-laws, or even unrelated dependents that were living in shared households with the deceased worker.
We’re Here to Help Families Throughout Los Angeles
If you are a dependent of a worker who has recently died in a job-related incident, and you believe you may have a claim for workers’ compensation death benefits, please do not delay in obtaining legal advice and filing your application; otherwise, you may lose out on your rightful benefits completely. Contact a Los Angeles workers’ comp attorney at the Kenton Koszdin Law Office as soon as you can to get started on your claim right away.
