When someone dies in a workplace accident, the Georgia Workers' Compensation Act may allow the victim's surviving spouse, children, and other dependents to collect benefits. An essential type of workers' compensation, death benefits are intended to ease the financial burden a work-related fatality can have on a victim's family.

In Georgia, typical workers' compensation death benefits include:

  • Reasonable funeral and burial expenses. Under state law, beneficiaries can receive up to $7,500 to cover the cost of their loved one's burial.
  • Income replacement payments. Beneficiaries may also be entitled to weekly payments of two-thirds their loved one's average weekly wage, up to $725 per week, for deaths as a result of accidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2022.  For deaths that occurred between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2022, the maximum benefit rate is $675 per week.

Who Qualifies as a Dependent?

The definition of dependent focuses on who is affected by the deceased person’s loss of income.

  • Surviving spouse. Legally married spouses qualify for benefits. Although if the husband and wife were separated for 90 days or more prior to the accident which resulted in the death of the deceased employee, the presumption of total dependence is rebuttable.
     
  • Children. Children can receive benefits if they were born within the marriage, legally adopted, or are acknowledged children born out of wedlock. Posthumous children may also qualify.
     
  • Financially dependent stepchildren. Stepchildren can receive death benefits only if they were financially dependent upon the deceased worker. This means that a stepchild who lived with the deceased worker for the majority of the year could receive benefits, while a stepchild who only visited on the weekends would likely not be eligible.
     
  • Other financially dependent individuals. A person who can prove he or she was financially dependent upon the deceased worker for at least three months before the incident may be eligible for benefits if the deceased worker had no spouse or children. This exception to the standard beneficiaries is most often used for an elderly parent or a disabled sibling, but could also apply to non-related friends in some cases.

What Happens When There Are Multiple Beneficiaries?

When there are multiple beneficiaries, the full benefit payment is split between eligible parties.

If the deceased worker had both a spouse and child, the benefit is paid to the spouse for the benefit of both the spouse and child. If the deceased worker had no spouse and multiple children, the benefits are divided equally between the children and paid to the applicable legal guardian or guardians.

If the deceased worker had no spouse or children, but multiple other dependent individuals, the totally dependent person is considered a primary beneficiary. If no single individual was totally dependent upon the deceased worker for support, all other beneficiaries can receive partial payments according to their level of financial dependency.

How Long Do Benefits Last?

A widowed spouse with no children can receive up to 400 weeks of benefits or a maximum of $290,000. However, benefits will be terminated if he or she remarries or cohabitates in a marriage-like relationship.

For children, benefits will stop when they turn 18 if they are not enrolled in school. Benefits can continue until age 22 for a full-time student. Disabled children who are unable to become self-supporting can receive benefits for as long as they remain dependent.

Other individuals who were financially dependent upon the deceased person’s income can receive up to 400 weeks of benefits, but only if there is no surviving spouse or children. Benefits may be reduced by proportion of dependency, if the dependent person only received partial support for expenses from the deceased worker.

How Can I Protect My Right to Benefits?

If you are struggling to receive the appropriate workers’ compensation benefits following the death of a loved one, retaining legal representation is recommended. An attorney who is experienced in claims involving fatal accidents can advocate for your needs throughout the process. Since a workers’ compensation attorney will also handle all necessary paperwork and communication with the insurance company on your behalf, this will free you to focus on helping your family through the grieving process.

Let Us Handle Your Georgia Workers' Compensation Death Benefits Claim

At Rechtman & Spevak, our accomplished injury attorneys have helped countless Georgia families receive the benefits they need and deserve after the work-related death of a loved one. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss the details of your claim, and learn more about your legal rights and options.

 

 

Jaret A. Spevak
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Atlanta Personal Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorney With 20+ Years Experience