When a loved one dies in a workplace accident, the financial consequences to the survivors can be devastating. A New Jersey family may be dealing with this issue now. A recent dump truck crash on the New Jersey turnpike killed the dump truck’s driver and caused massive delays to local traffic. The accident occurred when the driver accidentally veered into a barrier beneath a freeway overpass. According to police investigators, the accident may have been caused by a tire blow-out. The truck hit a barrier on the side of the road and turned over, sliding across the road and starting on fire. As a result of the crash, the truck caught fire, and the driver’s body was so badly burned that a police autopsy had to be performed before the man could be publicly identified. Fortunately, nobody else was hurt and no other vehicles were damaged as a result of the accident.
Traffic in the area was severely restricted as a result of the accident. The flames from the crash damaged the overpass, and the crashed truck blocked traffic, causing delays to motorists in the area. The overpass had to be inspected to ensure that its structural integrity was not affected by the fire. The state announced that the overpass would be restricted to one lane for approximately six weeks.
When a loved one dies in an on-the-job accident, in addition to the emotional trauma the family faces, there are also the financial costs to consider. In addition to funeral expenses, there may be the loss of financial support from the victim.
Fortunately, the family members and/or loved ones are entitled to legal redress. New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law provides that family members are entitled to recover monetary death benefits, as well as compensation for funeral expenses.
Source: NewJersey.com, “NJ Turnpike Dump Truck Crash Kills Driver, Causes Traffic Delays,” Oct. 4, 2012