It has already been two years since this happened. While working at a logistics warehouse in the outskirts of Palisades Park, a colleague went out for a delivery and tragically passed away due to a forklift accident at the unloading site.

He was usually diligent and cheerful, so everyone was deeply shocked.

The accident was not just a simple misfortune. The accident site was not properly managed regarding the loading ramp, and the responsibility for that management lay with the receiving company. Operating a forklift on a slippery ramp led to a major accident. Both internally within the company and legally, such cases are considered 'work-related deaths' entangled with third-party negligence.

In New Jersey, when such workplace death incidents occur, the Workers' Compensation system comes into play. It is similar to Korea's industrial accident insurance, allowing employees or their families to receive monetary compensation when injuries or deaths directly related to work occur. In this case, the accident that happened 'during work hours, in the course of performing work' has a clear connection.

When a death occurs, the employer must immediately report it to the insurance company, which will investigate to confirm the work-relatedness. Once confirmed, death benefits are paid to the family. According to New Jersey law, the beneficiaries include spouses, children under 18, or college students up to 23 years old. Children who cannot work for life due to disabilities are also included. If there are no spouse or children, parents or family members who relied on more than half of their livelihood are eligible.

The compensation is generally about 70% of the average weekly wage, but there are legal limits on the maximum and minimum amounts. Funeral expenses can also be supported up to about $3,500. The colleague who passed away had a wife and two young children, and they are expected to receive compensation weekly.

However, an important point here is that in addition to Workers' Compensation, if third-party negligence is proven, an additional 'third-party claim' is possible. In this case, the receiving company that failed to manage the loading ramp is that third party. This can lead to separate damage claims beyond just insurance payments. I heard that after hiring a lawyer, they reached a settlement with the amount proposed by the insurance company of the other party.

What I felt through this experience is that it is dangerous to think, "The company will take care of everything," and remain passive.

While the company and insurance operate according to regulations, victims or their families must actively gather information and voice their concerns to properly protect their rights. Witness statements, site photos, and reports from the time of the accident can be very helpful later on.

The sorrow of losing a colleague will not easily fade, but it is comforting to know that the system and laws support the lives of the remaining family members.

I hope that this incident will not be in vain, and that we all pay more attention to safety and develop the habit of taking immediate action when we identify risks.

Returning home safely from work every day should be our biggest goal.