Jackson Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits Lawyer
Falls from a height, electrocutions, caught-between injuries, and a few other jobsite injuries are often fatal. Many other injuries could be fatal as well, especially if the victim had a pre-existing condition. Many occupational diseases, like toxic exposure illnesses, are fatal as well. No amount of money could begin to fill the void a wrongful death leaves. However, the fact is that survivors need money to move on with their lives. At this point, moving on is the best possible outcome for everybody.
The compassionate Jackson workers’ compensation death benefits lawyers at Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe understand what victims and their families must endure. Many of the people on our professional team have survived similar situations. So, we work extra hard to obtain maximum benefits in these situations which help your family completely recover. These benefits include lost wage replacement as well as medical bill payment. As we work for you, we always proactively communicate with you, so you are never in the dark.
Job Injury Benefits Available
Death benefits are a unique combination of temporary total disability benefits and permanent total disability benefits.
Usually, workers’ compensation pays all the decedent’s final medical expenses, as well as other final expenses, such as funeral and burial costs. Typically, an insurance company pays these things directly, and survivors aren’t financially responsible for any unpaid charges.
The economic benefit is usually based on the decedent’s Average Weekly Wage. To calculate the AWW, it’s not enough to look at the last six paychecks and divide by six. The AWW is also forward looking. To determine a fair amount for lost future compensation, many attorneys partner with accountants and other outside professionals.
Can a Jackson Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits Lawyer Sue Outside the System?
By design, workers’ compensation is available for covered, unintentional injuries. In other cases, a Jackson workers’ compensation death benefits lawyer may be able to sue outside the system and obtain additional compensation.
State law requires most employers to maintain active workers’ compensation insurance policies. Unfortunately, many companies scoff at this requirement and don’t buy insurance. Others lie to their carriers about material facts, like payroll size, to illegally reduce their premiums. When insurance carriers uncover these lies, they usually deny payment.
If worker’s compensation is unavailable due to employer fraud, Mississippi law usually allows job injury victims to file civil claims. As a bonus, these companies cannot use some key defenses, such as assumption of the risk and comparative fault. So, it’s easier to prove negligence, or a lack of care.
Other employers deliberately ignore unusual worker risks, usually so they can stay on a construction schedule. If workers are injured because employers knowingly send them to dangerous areas or refuse to provide key safety devices, a civil action might be possible as well.
The additional compensation in civil claims usually includes money for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment in life, emotional distress, loss of consortium (companionship) and other noneconomic losses.
Contact a Dedicated Hinds County Attorney
Injured workers are entitled to substantial benefits. For a free consultation with an experienced Jackson workers’ compensation death benefits lawyer, contact Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe, PLLC. You have a limited amount of time to act.
