Seven years ago my father in law died due to a bleed on the brain, he never got to meet his youngest grandchild who was born 3 months later. I have always thought that it was an aneurysm but I found out last night that someone at his work, unhappy to have been told to help my father in law clean a truck, opened a door as a prank which cused my father in law to bash the back of his head and get a bleed on the brain. Being old school he didn't go to a doctor for a checkup and suffered with a headache until dying almost a week later. The company he worked for has been bought out by another in the years that have passed but I am still wondering if there is anything that can be done? This was an idiotic prank that killed my father in law and the man who did it was protected by the company. my mother in law didn't pursue it and purposely didn't tell my husband because she knew that he would pursue it. He only found out due to a slip up. Is there any point trying to find out who did it and trying to raise awareness of the dangers of stupid pranks at work? Any point in trying to get justice for my father in law and his family who lost the glue that held them together? This news has angered and devastated me.
3 Replies
That really is terrible news and if I was you, I'd want something done about it too.
Absolutely you can do something about it- although it will depend on the amount of evidence you have?
I would suggest speaking with a workplace lawyer or even workcover- dependants and spouses can lodge workers comp claims, for cases like this where the worker is killed by a work related incident.
Besides from workers comp, there is probably also common law and potentially criminal law action that can be taken.
It doesn't matter that the company has been bought out. Depending on the terms of sale the new company may have purchased liabilities or, more likely, they will remain with the seller. In either case, there is likely to be insurance policies in place (if the previous and new company are reputable).
If all else fails, take it to a current affair and name and shame the person who has gotten away with manslaughter.
Sorry again for your loss an I wish you success in finding justice.
yes absolutely - the person who did this should possibly be charged with manslaughter
This is the OP. Thank you both for your replies. I will contact some people and see what happens, I know my mother in law won't want to do anything and I'm not sure if my husband wants to but I think that's more so because he thinks nothing can be done. In my anger I would have loved for the guy who did this to get charged but it's the company that really covered it up. It feels so unfair. Perhaps nothing could have been done for my father in law but we will never know. For seven years I've thought it was inevitable and now I know it wasn't :( it's so unfair, he was such a wonderful person.