Losing a family member in a workplace accident creates overwhelming grief and uncertainty about your future. Many Salt Lake City families don’t know their full legal rights when a loved one dies at work. Let’s walk through what you need to know if your family member died while working in the Salt Lake Valley.
Understanding Your Rights Beyond Workers’ Compensation
Many families only hear about workers’ compensation after a workplace death. While workers’ comp provides some immediate help with funeral costs and lost wages, you might have additional rights to compensation through a wrongful death claim.
For example, if your spouse died working at a construction site in downtown Salt Lake City, workers’ compensation provides basic benefits. But if the accident involved faulty equipment or another company’s negligence, your family could file a wrongful death claim against these other parties.
Common Workplace Deaths in Our Area
In Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, we see workplace deaths happen most often in certain industries. Construction deaths occur frequently, especially with all the building happening downtown and in areas like Draper and Lehi. Workers fall from heights, get hit by equipment, or suffer fatal injuries when trenches collapse.
Manufacturing accidents claim lives in West Valley City’s industrial areas. Transportation deaths happen on our busy roads when workers drive for their jobs. Even office workers in downtown Salt Lake sometimes die from unsafe building conditions or criminal acts at work.
Third-Party Responsibility
Sometimes companies other than your loved one’s employer share blame for the death. Let’s say your family member died while working on the new high-rises being built near City Creek. The general contractor might have hired multiple subcontractors. If one subcontractor’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, you could file a claim against that company even though they weren’t the direct employer.
Equipment manufacturers might be responsible if defective tools or machinery caused the death. Property owners could share blame if unsafe conditions led to the fatal accident. These claims exist separately from workers’ compensation and often provide much more compensation for families.
What Your Family Can Recover
Workers’ compensation provides limited benefits:
- Funeral expenses up to a certain amount
- A portion of lost wages
- Some dependent benefits
But a wrongful death claim can recover much more:
- Full lost wages and benefits
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering before death
- Loss of family relationships and support
- Lost retirement and other future benefits
- Medical expenses before death
- Your family’s grief and emotional suffering
Time Matters in These Cases
Utah law sets strict deadlines for filing claims. With workers’ compensation, you must report the death quickly. For wrongful death claims, you typically have two years to file, but this time goes fast when you’re grieving.
Evidence at workplaces disappears quickly. Construction sites change daily. Equipment gets moved or replaced. Witnesses find new jobs and move away. The sooner you talk with a lawyer, the better chance of preserving important evidence for your case.
Real Examples From Our Community
Recently, we helped a family in Sandy after they lost their father at a warehouse job. Workers’ compensation offered basic benefits, but we discovered the accident happened because another company’s forklift driver wasn’t properly trained. We filed a wrongful death claim that provided enough compensation to support the family long-term.
Another family lost their mother to an accident at a manufacturing plant in West Valley City. Beyond workers’ compensation, we found that defective safety equipment contributed to her death. The equipment manufacturer ultimately took responsibility through a wrongful death settlement.
Getting Help With Your Claim
The legal process might seem overwhelming right now. That’s why we handle everything for our client families throughout the Salt Lake Valley. We investigate the accident, deal with insurance companies, and manage all paperwork while you focus on your family.
How We Support Your Family
When you work with our law firm, we first listen to understand what happened and what your family needs. We explain your rights in plain language and answer all your questions. Then we get to work:
We investigate the accident thoroughly, often visiting the workplace ourselves. We talk to witnesses, review safety records, and consult experts who understand industry safety rules. We identify everyone who might be responsible beyond the employer.
We handle all communications with insurance companies and opposing lawyers. You won’t have to deal with their questions or pressure to settle quickly. We make sure any settlement offers fully account for your family’s long-term needs.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve lost a family member to a workplace accident in Salt Lake City or nearby communities, let us help you understand your rights. We offer:
A free, private meeting to discuss your situation Clear answers about your legal options No fee unless we win your case Home or hospital visits if needed Evening and weekend appointments
Contact us today to learn how we can help your family get the full compensation you deserve. Your loved one worked hard to support your family – we’ll work hard to protect your future.
Disclaimer: This information helps Salt Lake City families understand workplace death claims but isn’t legal advice. Every situation is different. Please talk with a qualified attorney about your specific case.
