On October 20, 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released their study on Alabama Workplace Fatalities in 2009. Unfortunately, 70 workers were killed while performing their job duties in Alabama in 2009, but fortunately this number is the lowest number of work related deaths since tracking began in 1992. The previous low was 100 in 2006; the highest number of on-the-job fatalities was 155 in 1996.

In Alabama, if an on the job injury causes, or is a causative factor, in the death of a worker, and the death occurs within 3 years of the date of the workplace injury (although this date may be tolled by payment of disability compensation while the worker was still alive), then dependants of the deceased worker are entitled to certain death benefits. Beneficiaries are those who were totally dependant upon the decedent, or partially dependant upon them for support. Death benefits are payable over 500 weeks absent an agreed to lump sum settlement.

An experienced attorney will be able to assist in determining who would be considered a wholly or partially dependant person and how to calculate any potential benefits.