Earlier this year, tragedy struck at a construction site in Queens. According to NBC 4 in New York, a construction worker lost his life when he fell down a shaft while working at a Queens construction site. Per the report, the shaft that the worker fell down was around 20 feet deep. The construction site where the incident occurred was located in Ridgewood near the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and St. Nicholas Avenue.
Reportedly, the construction worker who fell was on the ground floor of a building on the site when the accident happened. He was moving a plywood board when he slipped and fell down a nearby hole into the basement. The construction worker was in his 30s and had a wife and children.
This was the second accident that has occurred at this construction site this year. The previous incident involved a fence gate falling and hitting a worker. That worker was injured in the accident but didn’t lose his life.
As of this report, the Department of Buildings is investigating the conditions on the construction site and trying to determine if those conditions contributed to either construction accident.
How Do Workers’ Comp Death Benefits Work in New York?
In New York, if a worker is killed on the job, in many cases, the worker’s spouse, kids, and other dependents are eligible to collect workers’ compensation survivor benefits. These benefits come in the form of weekly payouts. The payouts are equal to two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average salary for the 52 weeks prior to the fatal accident.
If the worker has no spouse, children, or other dependents, then the worker’s surviving parents or estate may be entitled to a $50,000 payout.
In addition to workers’ comp survivor benefits, workers’ compensation covers the cost of funeral expenses if an employee suffers a work-related death.
Survivors must successfully file a workers’ compensation death claim to receive survivor benefits and coverage for funeral costs.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorneys Today
The workers’ compensation attorneys at Belushin Law Firm, P.C. have been assisting injured workers and their families following work-related injuries and deaths since 2002. These incidents are often horrific and leave workers and their families reeling. That’s where we step in. We guide injured workers and their families through the workers’ comp process. We have years of experience and know what it takes to help injury victims and their families secure the compensation they need for hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, living expenses, and more.
To learn more about Belushin Law Firm, P.C., and how we’ve helped injured workers and their families in the past, read our clients’ reviews.
For more information about workers’ compensation in New York, or to discuss your situation with our experienced workers’ comp lawyers in NYC, give us a call at (888) 918-9890 or contact us online today for a complimentary consultation.