Workers’ compensation benefits protect workers and their families. In a North Carolina community a couple of hours southeast of the Greensboro area, a city worker recently fell to her death from a water tower. The woman fell from a city-owned water tank that is 210 feet tall. The 28-year old victim had worked for the city since 2016. The woman was listed as administrative staff working part time supporting contracts.
There are multiple investigations into the city worker’s death including by the N.C. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Division. The department reported that the investigation will take months to complete but is required to be completed within 6 months. The woman was climbing down a fixed ladder when she fell 10 stories. The investigation into the fatal work accident will include the collection of physical evidence, photographs and interviews with witnesses, other employees and management.
Workers’ compensation benefits are not only important benefits for injured workers but can also be important for family members of workers killed in a fatal workplace accident. North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits include death benefits. Death benefits are paid weekly and are based on the deceased worker’s average weekly wages. Death benefits can help surviving family members with some of the challenges they face following a fatal workplace accident.
Workers’ compensation benefits are a resource to help injured workers and their families with the financial difficulties many face after a workplace injury or death. It is essential for family members of workers to be familiar with their workers’ compensation options and rights and how to obtain the benefits they need.
