When a person says goodbye to his or her loved ones as he or she heads out to work in the morning, there is no reason to expect that the person will never return. However, workplace hazards exist in many professions, exposing individuals to danger and the possibility of a work-related death, as one recent incident shows.
An employee at a Northbrook country club recently lost his life after becoming stuck under a riding lawnmower that fell on top of him. The 62-year-old victim was mowing the lawn up an incline when the lawnmower tipped over onto him. The victim was stuck underneath the lawnmower. He ultimately died due to blunt force injuries and traumatic asphyxia. The victim was a contract worker at the Greenacre Country Club. The village of Northbrook is still investigating the incident.
This man’s death was sudden and unexpected, and he will be sincerely missed by his loved ones. In situations like this, the loved ones of those who die in workplace accidents may face many difficulties. Not only are they grieving their loved one’s death, but they also must learn to cope with the many losses such an incident may cause. For example, there will be funeral expenses with which to contend, the victim will no longer bring in money to support his or her family financially, and there may also be loss of consortium.
With all these damages in mind, families of those killed in workplace accidents may want to determine whether they can file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit, if successful, may provide the financial relief these families need during an emotionally and financially difficult time.
Source: Northbrook Patch, “Maintenance Worker Fatally Crushed By Lawn Mower,” Jonah Meadows, May 20, 2017
