Rescue workers in Louisiana and elsewhere put their lives on the line every single day. Sadly, some do not make it home to their family members. Recently, a fire chief was killed while investigating a car crash. If negligence contributed to his death, his surviving family members may be entitled to pursue compensation for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim against the individual deemed responsible.
On Jan. 17, in parts of Louisiana, roads were covered in ice, which contributed to a number of accidents that day. A 48-year-old fire chief was tending to one accident on U.S. Highway 61 when he was struck by a passing truck that lost control. Sadly, he died from his injuries.
Little information is known about the driver believed responsible. Authorities have not stated if any criminal charges have been or are pending against this individual. Weather conditions are certainly considered a contributing factor in this case. It is unclear if anything else contributed to this driver losing control of his vehicle.
When a loved one loses his or her life while on duty, workers’ compensation death benefits may be accessed in order to help surviving family members move forward. While these benefits can be helpful, some may feel they are not enough. This is where civil claims come into play. A wrongful death claim filed against the party deemed responsible in a Louisiana civil court may — if successfully litigated — result in the awarding of further compensation for family members and may even grant a little bit of closure.
Source: katc.com, “Fire chief dies while investigating accident on icy road“, Jan. 17, 2018