Fatal Workplace Accidents

Accidents can occur at any moment throughout our day. However, given the amount of time most people spend at work, on-the-job accidents are extremely common. In the event of a fatal workplace accident, the deceased worker’s family suffers a grievous emotional loss. However, without their loved one’s income, they may also experience financial difficulty. The North Carolina workers’ compensation system allows for families of workers who died in a workplace accident to pursue workers’ compensation death benefits.

At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, our team of Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys have decades of combined experience obtaining death benefits on behalf of families who lost loved ones in fatal workplace accidents. We understand the emotional and financial challenges you are dealing with in the wake of your loss and will do everything possible to ensure the application process is as smooth as possible while maximizing your benefits.

North Carolina’s track record in terms of fatal workplace accidents is better than the national average. However, there is still an unacceptable number of workers killed for reasons related to their employment. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were over 179 North Carolina workers who died as a result of their employment in 2021. The most common fatal accidents were:

• Motor vehicle accidents,
• Exposure to harmful substances,
• Falls, slips and trips, and
• Coming into contact with an object.

In terms of the most dangerous jobs in North Carolina, there are two important things to consider. First are the most dangerous industries. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of occupational injuries, illnesses and deaths in North Carolina in 2021 occurred in three industries:

• Trade, transportation, and utilities;
• Education and health services; and
• Manufacturing.

However, in terms of the most dangerous jobs, the data can vary from year to year. However, the following occupations typically make the top ten for the most dangerous occupations in North Carolina:

• Construction workers
• Electrical power-line installers and repairers
• Factory workers
• Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers
• Firefighters
• Fishers and fishing-related workers
• Healthcare workers
• Law enforcement officers
• Logging workers
• Roofers
• Sanitation workers
• Truck drivers [link to Truck Driver Injuries page]

Workers’ comp death benefits are payments made to eligible beneficiaries when a worker dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness. These benefits can provide financial assistance to family members and dependents left behind after a tragic accident. North Carolina law provides that eligible beneficiaries are entitled to two-thirds of a deceased worker's average weekly wage at the time of the accident for 500 weeks.

Workers’ compensation claims are not the same as personal injury cases. There are two primary differences. First, workers’ compensation claims do not require families to prove that their loved one’s death was due to anyone else’s negligence, whereas personal injury cases do. Second, the damages available through a workers’ compensation claim are generally limited to two-thirds of the deceased worker’s pay, whereas personal injury cases allow for a broader range of damages.

If your loved one was killed while on the job, or they died as a result of an occupational disease, reach out to the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, to discuss a workers’ compensation death benefits claim. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we have a proven track record of connecting families with the benefits they need, deserve and are entitled to. Not only that, but we make every effort to streamline the process to ensure your family isn’t forced to deal with any unnecessary stress during what is already an extremely challenging time. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with one of our Charlotte work injury lawyers, give us a call at 704-405-2580. You can also reach our Cabarrus County workers’ compensation attorneys at 704-918-4747. We proudly represent clients in Charlotte, Concord and Kannapolis, as well as throughout Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell, Rowan, and Union Counties.