Construction work is some of the most dangerous work in the U.S. Construction accidents can cause lifelong physical impairment or even death. As a construction worker, you are likely all too aware of the dangers you face. You may assume that if a horrific accident happened, your employer would take care of the costs related to it. But you could be wrong.

A recent post on EHS Today discusses how the loved ones of those killed on construction sites are often left holding the bill. While the article is specific to Massachusetts and pending legislation there, the same can hold true no matter what state you are in, including New York and New Jersey.

The average funeral costs around $7,775, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. When you add “extras” like flowers or obituary notices, that cost rises to at least $9,000. For many who are faced with unexpected funeral costs after a workplace accident, this much money can seem unobtainable.

Pending legislation in Massachusetts seeks to increase the burial benefits that loved ones are entitled to when they lose someone in a workplace accident. For many, this could mean the difference between a funeral of their choice or having to cremate their loved one simply to save money.

When a tragic accident happens, even if it’s disabling rather than fatal, everyone in the family is affected. Things are often never the same again. When an accident is caused by cutting corners, a lack of proper safety equipment, or other oversights on the part of an employer, someone must be held accountable.

When you serve your employer’s needs every day and are injured when someone else is negligent, you deserve some level of accountability.