Millions of Americans go off to work each day. Some work out of necessity – some because they truly like their jobs – and some for both reasons. None of them plan on having an accident at work – much less a fatal accident. Unfortunately, that happens more often than we think. According to the most recent statistics from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the year 2008 there were 5,071 work-related fatalities across the United States. So what can you do if your spouse, child or parent was killed in a work-related accident? According to Monterey wrongful death attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that your loved one worked for when the accident happened.
While it is true that some occupations are inherently risky – fireman, construction worker, factory worker – that doesn’t mean that the employer can’t be held responsible for a fatal accident through a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death is a death that is caused by the negligence or misconduct of another individual or entity, says Monterey wrongful death attorney Emery Ledger. The federal government has instituted a number of rules and regulations through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in an attempt to protect American workers. The OSHA rules and regulations are very complex and industry specific. Sadly, many employers are lax about following the rules or worse, blatantly disregard the rules and regulations. In the event of a fatal accident, if your loved one’s employer was not following the required rules and regulations, then they may be held responsible for the ensuing accident or fatality.
Situations where an employer has failed to follow proper safety procedures happen most frequently in construction or factory settings. It is very easy for an employer to overlook required safety equipment or procedures if they are trying to save time or money. Additionally, in these tough economic times, any employees feel that they will lose their much needed income if they question their employer. This can lead to serious, even fatal, consequences. When an employer disregards the rules and that disregard leads to a death, the employer can be held financially responsible says Monterey County wrongful death attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates.
If you have lost a loved one through a workplace accident and you feel that the accident was partially or wholly the fault of the employer, then consult with an experienced Monterey County wrongful death attorney to explore what legal options you may have. If it turns out that your loved one’s employer was not following proper safety procedures, then you may be entitled to compensation as a claimant in a wrongful death lawsuit. While no amount of money can bring your loved one back, a negligent employer should be held accountable for causing the death of an employee and you should not have to worry about your financial future and that of your family.
If you would like a free detailed evaluation of your potential wrongful death claim from an experienced Monterey wrongful death attorney, please contact Emery Ledger at Ledger & Associates through his website at www.ledgerlaw.com or at his toll-free number – 1-800-300-0001.
