A tragic story out of a nearby state has local Saginaw workers concerned for the welfare of their families. According to reports, a 55-year-old woman was killed at work while she sorted donations to a thrift store. The woman and a co-employee saw a bulge in a sock that was included in a box of donated materials. When the other employee went to empty the sock, a gun fell out and discharged.
Tragically, it killed the woman as she was simply performing the mundane task. She leaves behind a husband and daughter who relied on her earning capacity for their own welfare. Because of incidents like this, in addition to more minor workplace injuries, every state has its own laws in regard to workers’ compensation. Fortunately, Michigan has a legislative scheme that allows local workers and their families the ability to recoup money for medical expenses and lost wages.
Recovering these funds, however, is not always an easy task. Exceptions and restrictions are in place to prevent abuse but often times prohibit a deserving person from recovering an amount due. This incident was an unfortunate case of death, but workers’ compensation often covers pre-existing conditions that are aggravated due to the place of employment, injuries caused during breaks or lunch, physical and mental strain, and diseases caused by exposure to toxins at a place of employment.
Workplace accidents are more common than any of us would like to admit. Even such out of the ordinary incidents like this case can happen when we least expect it. For victims of workplace accidents, or in cases like this – for the family members of the victim — local Saginaw attorneys are able to provide legal guidance in an effort to receive maximum compensation for the victims. Although money cannot bring back a loved one and cannot turn back the clock to prevent an injury from happening, it may offer peace of mind in holding an employer or other third party responsible for their actions.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “The aftereffects of a tragic workplace accident,” Barbara Brotman, March 17, 2014
