Workers' Compensation Lawyers Reflect on Workers' Memorial Day

Today is Workers’ Memorial Day worldwide, a day we solemnly remember all those workers who have died tragically in workplace accidents over the years.  More US workers have died on the job over the course of history than anyone knows or cares to remember. Witness 9/11, but don’t forget the workers who die every day in less dramatic fashion. To understand the gravity of this problem, a must read is the 2010 Death On the Job Report from the AFL-CIO. Read it and really weep.

My most recent NY workers’ compensation death claim involved a Long Island warehouse worker who had a skid of heavy boxes tip over and land on his head. Despite the heroic efforts of his co-workers, he was dead before he reached the hospital. He left a wife and two children under age ten. Without ant sense of remorse, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier was calling me within 10 days of the death to try and settle the claim for less than full value. I told them to take a hike.

We went right to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and petitioned the court for benefits for the widow and children, including funeral costs. The judge awarded the widow benefits for life and funeral costs, in addition to benefits for the children while they are dependent minors. I bet the claims adjuster on that file doesn’t even know its Workers’ Memorial Day today!

God bless all the families who have lost loved ones on the job over the years. The most recent large scale tragedy to come to mind was the recent deaths 29 coal miners in West Virginia.  The attorneys at Turley Redmond & Rosasco  wish the families peace and comfort.