Construction worker dies in accident on South Carolina highway

On Oct. 23, a 27-year-old driver in Beaufort County struck and killed a construction worker, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The pedestrian accident reportedly occurred on eastbound South Carolina Highway 170 at around 2:10 a.m.

The 27-year-old driver, traveling in a 2000 Pontiac, left the scene of the accident without stopping, allegedly. Officials pronounced the worker, a 53-year-old man from Vance, dead at the accident scene.

Law enforcement officials located and pulled over the 2000 Pontiac shortly after the incident, authorities reported. The 27-year-old driver is facing charges of felony DUI resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident. Troopers booked the woman into the Beaufort County Detention Center, reportedly.

A fatal workplace accident like this one can leave the family of the decedent reeling from not only the unexpected loss of their loved one but also the various financial burdens that can accompany such a loss. For example, many bereaved families must deal with end-of-life expenses related to their loved one, including funeral bills and estate administration costs. Moreover, the decedent may have been a contributor to the household income while alive, and the loss of that regular paycheck can be devastating for a family.

However, families of workers who die while on the job may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. In many cases, these families consult with a workers’ compensation attorney, who may help potential beneficiaries file a workers’ compensation claim and receive the death benefits to which they are entitled. Moreover, the attorney may advise whether further legal action, such as a wrongful death lawsuit, may be warranted in connection with the fatal event.

Source: The State, “Construction worker killed in SC hit and run crash, arrest made“, Rebeca Lurye, October 23, 2014