Sadly, workplace deaths are all too common in Washington and around the nation. The end of a loved one due to an on-the-job incident is a tragedy. If a worker is killed on the job, surviving family members are eligible for compensation benefits. Please know that they are here to assist you in understanding all of your legal options and choices. What you need to know about collecting benefits after losing a family member has been prepared by Workers’ Comp Washington State.
WAGE REPLACEMENT FOR DEPENDENTS OF EMPLOYEES IN WASHINGTON STATE
The state of Washington mandates no-fault workers’ compensation. If a worker is hurt on the job, they are entitled to any claim-related, reasonable, and needed medical care, wage replacement, persistent impairment, and pension benefits. As detailed in the following lines, those who qualify for these services are entitled to them:
- A Wife’s Survival Guide
The surviving spouse is the principal beneficiary of workers’ compensation death benefits. Benefits from workers’ compensation, including funeral expenses, unpaid days off, PPD, and pensions, typically go to the surviving spouse and registered domestic partner of the dead employee.
- How To Survive As A Child
In the lack of a surviving spouse, children may be entitled to payments. As long as they are engaged full-time at a college or institution authorized by the government, children may receive benefits until they are 18 or 23, whichever comes first. It is conceivable for a disabled kid to get gifts for the remainder of their life.
- NUMEROUS RELATIVES
If the dead worker leaves behind no spouse or children, workers’ compensation death benefits in Washington may be paid to other family members.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION DEATH BENEFITS: AN OVERVIEW
If a loved one died while working in Washington, it’s conceivable that you’re worried about receiving workers’ compensation benefits. In Washington, you and your loved ones may be eligible for any one of the following three types of workers’ comp death benefits:
- Cash Payment
Survivors of a deceased may get a lump-sum payment of cash instead of a pension if they are eligible. Compensation may be up to 100% of the state’s average monthly wage in 2021, which is $5,360. This depends on when the accident happened.
- Cremation And Burial Costs
The measure in Washington enables the remaining relatives of the injured employee who dies in an on-the-job accident “not to exceed 200 percent of a state’s average household salary.” Workers’ compensation payouts for funerals and burials now max out a little over $11,000.
ADVANTAGES TO BEING A SURVIVOR
There may also be survivor benefits, such as pensions for the widow/widower and children or dependents. A monthly stipend is granted to the survivor’s spouse, kid, or dependent. As a general rule, Washington state law allows for 60 percent of a victim’s date-of-injury wages to be used as compensation.
If your loved one received pre-death medical care due to a work-related illness or accident, workers’ compensation should cover the costs. Your family should never be liable for any out-of-pocket expenses for treatment related to a work accident.
HOW TO MAKE A DEATH BENEFITS CLAIM IN WASHINGTON STATE
Workers’ compensation death payments do not automatically go to a deceased worker’s spouse, kids, or dependents. Workers’ widows and children must file claims for pension benefits with L&I no later than one year after the death of their loved ones. You may expect an L&I retirement adjudicator to decide whether to accept or reject your claim. If your L&I pension claim is denied, contact an expert L&I pension attorney immediately.
Because of this, anybody who has lost a loved one should seek the advice of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Washington State. Your attorney will ensure that the claim is correctly filled out and supported by all necessary documentation to optimize your compensation.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWYERS IN WASHINGTON STATE OFFER FREE LEGAL ADVICE
Relatives of workers who have died in a work accident may turn to a workers’ compensation law firm for help. If a beloved one was slain in the line of duty, they’re here to assist you. Please get in touch with them right away if you’d like to learn something about offerings or set up a no-obligation consultation.
