Some professions inherently involve more danger than others. Construction work and factory work are two of the most hazardous jobs out there, but sometimes, other professions can be just as dangerous. People often do not expect television production to be one of the dangerous fields of work, but depending what is involved in producing the show, a workplace injury can happen.
Recently, a man from Indiana, Pa., who was working on a television show in California, was killed in a helicopter crash while shooting the show. The man was one of three passengers who were killed. Authorities including the FAA are investigating the cause of the accident.
If a worker was killed in a job-related accident, the surviving family may be able to bring a wrongful death claim if the death was caused by the negligence of another person or entity. In a wrongful death action, damages may be available, including money damages for loss of support, loss of prospective inheritance plus medical and funeral expenses. When determining the amount of damages, courts look at the condition and age of the deceased person at the time of death, along with that person’s earning capacity, health and life expectancy.
Workers who have been injured in a work related injury may be able to get workers’ compensation benefits, which provide similar compensation for medical expenses, as well as compensation for vocational rehabilitation and replacement wages, and sometimes benefits to the surviving family of workers who have been killed. Laws regarding workers’ compensation claims vary by state, but are typically considered a substitute for a lawsuit.
While workplace accidents can be devastating and tragic, especially if they result in the loss of a loved one, there are options for surviving family members. These types of claims and lawsuits may allow surviving families a cushion from the financial devastation that can occur when a loved one is killed.
Source: Post-Gazette.com, “Indiana, Pa., man killed in California helicopter crash,” Alex Zimmerman, Feb. 11, 2013