In the late 70’s and early 80’s while I was employed in the Georgia claims department of a major insurance company, we had a very significant number of workers compensation death cases. Part of the reason was that the company wrote alot of assigned risk business but another reason was that the economy was doing well. Construction was booming and there were lots of jobs, especially construction jobs. Recently released statistics demonstrate that this is not the case now..
In August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reported that in 2009 there were 96 workplace deaths in Georgia compared to 182 workplace deaths in 2008— a 47% decline in just one year.
Specifically, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries broke down the causes of the Georgia on-the-job deaths as follows: 3 from fires or explosions; 14 from assaults or violent acts; 11 from contact with objects or equipment; 11 from falls; 10 from exposure to harmful substances or environments; and 47 related to transportation incidents.
Although the death benefit is still woefully inadequate, the Georgia Workers Compensation Act does provide a measure of compensation to those dependents whose suffer a financial loss as a result of the compensable death of a loved one. The Georgia workers compensation lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP have been representing the families of deceased Georgia workers for over 40 years.