Generally speaking, workers are covered by Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation law. Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy that most employers in the Commonwealth must purchase for their employees. This insurance provides a death benefit intended for family members after a workplace accident has caused the death of an employee. The availability of this death benefit usually takes the place of any right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the worker’s employer.
However, in some circumstances, the family of the deceased worker may have a legal right to seek damages from a third party (someone other than the employer or a coworker) for causing the worker’s death. An experienced Philadelphia wrongful death attorney can advise you about your rights in this circumstance.