How to Seek Justice After a Wrongful Death in a Work Zone

Work zones are dangerous places, and despite our best efforts, accidents are unfortunately common. Some of these accidents tragically result in the death of the worker involved, leaving their family members with a lost income and other losses. If you have lost a loved one in a work zone accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to move forward.

Identify the At-Fault Party

Work zone accidents can occur in a variety of ways. The accident may have been caused by a third party, such as a negligent driver, a reckless contractor, or someone else whose failure to take due care caused the accident that led to the death of your loved one. Defective or unsafe equipment or materials, such as malfunctioning machinery or tools, could have caused it. The accident may be due to the employer’s negligence in failing to provide the proper safety equipment or otherwise failing to ensure that the work site is safe.

Identifying the party responsible for the accident will shape how you proceed and what remedies are available.  There may be more than one party at fault. For example, an accident in a highway construction zone may have been caused by a speeding driver, but the employer may have neglected to install appropriate signage. Identifying the at-fault party is critical to mapping out your claim strategy.

Conduct a Thorough Investigation

In order to prove your case, you will need evidence to support your claim. This is true even in cases where it may seem obvious what happened and who is responsible. You will ultimately need to prove why the at-fault party should be liable for your family’s loss.

To collect the evidence you need, you will need to investigate the accident thoroughly. This may require interviewing witnesses, obtaining copies of accident reports, or accessing camera footage. In some cases, you may need to understand what industry standards and regulations are in place and whether the employer complied. The outcome of your case will depend upon mastering the facts of every facet of your claim.

Admittedly, this is an incredibly difficult task for a family that is grieving the loss of a loved one. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate for you, allowing you to focus on your future.

What Remedies Are Available to You?

The surviving family members in a wrongful death action are typically seeking monetary compensation. The surviving family members can pursue compensation for a variety of losses, some of which include the following:

• Any medical bills incurred by the decedent prior to death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and support
• Economic losses such as current and future lost income

However, the compensation you are entitled to will depend on the remedies available to you. For example, you may have a death claim as part of a workers’ compensation case versus the typical personal injury claim.  An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your options to find the best way forward for you and your family.

Contact Goodwin Como to Discuss Your Wrongful Death Case Today

Let us help you get your family’s compensation to rebuild its future. Call us today at 724-438-1616 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.