Employee suicide in workplace

[Pacer41]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
OHIO

This past week, my cousin who was a healthy, 55 year-old male hung himself where he worked with an electrical cord that had weights affixed to it in his machining cell at work. Since there was no second shift, he wasn't discovered until a third shift worker came in early around 9 p.m and reported it to the team leader. His wife was called with the news. She indicated to family that the company is ruling this as an accidental death. She (my cousin's wife) is fine with the ruling, because she said his life insurance policy wouldn't pay out on a suicide, and I understand they have kids in college, etc, but it bothers me that the fact that he was was found seated in a chair versus hung from the rafters wouldn't warrant some TYPE of investigation by OSHA. Could my cousin-in-law have a wrongful death case here? What does the law require as far as concluding cause of death being accidental vs suicide?

 

[justalayman]

OSHA will investigate the matter, especially given it is claimed to be an accident.

more importantly, the police or coroner will investigate the matter as well. The coroner is who determines if it is an accident or suicide. The employer has no say in the matter.

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
OHIO

This past week, my cousin who was a healthy, 55 year-old male hung himself where he worked with an electrical cord that had weights affixed to it in his machining cell at work. Since there was no second shift, he wasn't discovered until a third shift worker came in early around 9 p.m and reported it to the team leader. His wife was called with the news. She indicated to family that the company is ruling this as an accidental death. She (my cousin's wife) is fine with the ruling, because she said his life insurance policy wouldn't pay out on a suicide, and I understand they have kids in college, etc, but it bothers me that the fact that he was was found seated in a chair versus hung from the rafters wouldn't warrant some TYPE of investigation by OSHA. Could my cousin-in-law have a wrongful death case here? What does the law require as far as concluding cause of death being accidental vs suicide?

If this person was found dead at work, the police would have had to be called and the police would determine what it was. You are not getting the whole story here. And if your cousin were found dead at work and the police were NOT called, various laws were broken.

 

[swalsh411]

First of all, I am sorry for your loss.

What do you think would happen if the insurance accepted the "accident", paid out to the estate, and then later found out it was a suicide? Do you think that would end well for your cousins family?

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

Insurance fraud carries stiff penalties. Proceed based on the coroners ruling.

 

[ShyCat]

I believe that typically suicide is an exclusion only for the first two years of a life insurance policy. Group policies might not even have that.

 

[davew128]

I believe that typically suicide is an exclusion only for the first two years of a life insurance policy. Group policies might not even have that.

This is correct.

 

[olenderlegal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
OHIO

This past week, my cousin who was a healthy, 55 year-old male hung himself where he worked with an electrical cord that had weights affixed to it in his machining cell at work. Since there was no second shift, he wasn't discovered until a third shift worker came in early around 9 p.m and reported it to the team leader. His wife was called with the news. She indicated to family that the company is ruling this as an accidental death. She (my cousin's wife) is fine with the ruling, because she said his life insurance policy wouldn't pay out on a suicide, and I understand they have kids in college, etc, but it bothers me that the fact that he was was found seated in a chair versus hung from the rafters wouldn't warrant some TYPE of investigation by OSHA. Could my cousin-in-law have a wrongful death case here? What does the law require as far as concluding cause of death being accidental vs suicide?

Its unfortunate to he about your cousin. My sympathies to her family.

 

[Zigner]

There are many cases, where the jury has found situations responsible for the suicide, respected them; found persons guilty, who are responsible for creating such situations and the insurance companies were made to pay the claims.

Setting aside the fact that your statement doesn't make sense as written, would you care to provide cites from Ohio?