Did you know that on average 133 Americans die each day from workplace injuries? That’s over 48,000 people per year. If you are a business owner, it is important to be aware of these things so that you can keep your employees safe and avoid any legal trouble. In this blog post, we will discuss four legal facts companies should be aware of when it comes to death caused by work.
Work accidents are quite common, so you have to be ready
No matter how much you try to avoid them, accidents at work happen. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there were nearly three million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2017. This means that companies need to be prepared for when accidents do happen. In addition, the Folsom wrongful death attorney explains that if an employee is killed while on the job, the company may be held liable. Because of this, it is important to have insurance that will cover any damages that may occur. As a company, you should also have a plan in place for what to do in the event of a work-related death. These things happen, no matter how much you try to prevent them, so it is important to be prepared.
#1 You can be sued for not providing a safe workplace
If an employee is injured or killed while on the job, the company can be sued for not providing a safe workplace. This is why it is so important to have insurance that will cover any damages that may occur. Creating a safe workplace is not only important for legal reasons but is also important for moral reasons. You want to create an environment where your employees feel safe. A safe environment is good for morale and will also help to avoid any accidents.
#2 There are certain hazards that are more dangerous than others
While all workplace accidents have the potential to be serious, there are some that are more dangerous than others. For example, construction workers face a higher risk of death due to falls, while those who work with chemicals or machinery face a higher risk of being injured by them. It is important to be aware of the hazards in your industry and take steps to mitigate them. This way, you can reduce the chances of an accident occurring.
#3 Your company may be required to pay benefits to the deceased employee’s family
If an employee is killed while on the job, their family may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help cover things like funeral expenses and lost wages. In some cases, the family may also be able to sue the company for wrongful death. This is why it is so important to have insurance that will cover these things. And while these benefits might not provide emotional support, they can help the family through a difficult time. Hence, you have to be financially prepared as well.
#4 There is a high chance a legal action will be brought up if an employee is killed while working
If an employee is killed while on the job, there is a high chance that legal action will be taken against the company. This is why it is so important to have insurance that will cover any damages that may occur. You also want to make sure that you have a plan in place for what to do in the event of a work-related death. These things happen, no matter how much you try to prevent them, so it is important to be prepared. In short, this process would help you avoid any legal trouble and keep your employees safe.
It is best not to have to deal with such an issue, but there are limits to what we can do
If you run a business that has a high risk of workplace accidents, you should take extra precautions to prevent them. But even if you do everything right, accidents can still happen. And when they do, it is important to be prepared. This means setting aside finances to cover any damages that may occur and having a plan in place for what to do if an employee is killed while on the job.
In conclusion, death caused by work is a serious issue that companies should be prepared for. Although it is impossible to completely prevent workplace accidents, there are things you can do to reduce the chances of them happening. And if an employee is killed while on the job, you want to be prepared for the legal and financial consequences.
