DeRidder Man Electrocuted in Work-Related Accident

DeRidder Man Electrocuted in Work-Related Accident

A DeRidder man working for an electric company was killed in a work-related accident on the morning of September 19th, 2017. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Elliswood Drive in Sulphur, LA in reference to an accidental death that was reported around 8:50 A.M. When Calcasieu Parish deputies arrived, they discovered a 47-year-old deceased man who had been burned severely. During further investigation at the scene, it appears that the man was working for an electric company, up in a bucket truck, when he unintentionally brushed against an exposed power line which electrocuted him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Louisiana Workers’ Compensation law makes provisions for the surviving family of employees who were the victim of a fatal worksite accident. Normally, Louisiana Workers’ Compensation pays benefits to the spouse or children of the deceased, but in cases where the deceased did not have a spouse and children, benefits are able to go to the surviving parents instead. While Workers’ Compensation death benefits are only a small comfort in the aftermath of such a tragic situation, they can still help ease some of the financial demands that come with it.

The death benefits paid through Louisiana Workers’ Compensation are meant to help the surviving family members pay for funeral costs and other bills related to the fatal workplace accident. There are also weekly benefits paid to the family to help with day-to-day living costs while working to rebuild after the tragedy. This payment is calculated based on the deceased employee’s wages. The actual amount of the compensation your family may receive depends on several factors.

In 1975, the Louisiana Legislature changed the laws surrounding when an employee may sue an employer by amending the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act.  The Louisiana Worker’s Compensation Act provides that certain work-related injuries may only be compensated through workers’ compensation payments. Employers are immune from tort suits for such injuries. Prior to 1975, the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act included a list of specific occupational diseases covered under the act. Now, the requirements have been altered to include more relevant injuries that are common in modern workplace environments.

You should consult a Shreveport personal injury or wrongful death attorney during this difficult time. Speaking with a lawyer after losing your loved one to a fatal worksite accident can help you understand your legal rights and options, as well as help you file for death benefits through the Workers’ Compensation offices, as well as seeking any additional compensation from other potentially liable parties. Having an experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney on your side will help you rest more at ease and be able to claim the benefits your family needs and deserves.