Bereaved families and the coronial response to traumatic workplace fatalities: Organizational perspectives

Abstract

Work remains a significant source of illness, injury, and death in developed countries. In Australia, for example, over 2,000 people die from work-related causes each year, with heavy social, economic, and personal costs (Safe Work Australia, 2013a ). Most die as a result of work-related disease. However, many die from trauma. In 2012, 223 workers were fatally injured in Australia and in the United States the figure was 4,383 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014 ; Safe Work Australia, 2013b ). Apart from the immediate tragedy of each worker's death, these deaths affect the victim's immediate family, wider family, friends, and co-workers. It has been estimated that, on average, every death has an impact on at least 20 other people (Dyregrov, Nordanger, & Dyregrov, 2003 ), especially when the deceased had several families, which is an increasingly common phenomenon (OECD, 2014 ). Little is known, however, about how regulatory responses following a traumatic workplace fatality meet the needs of surviving families. With a focus on the coronial investigation, this article provides information about the regulatory responses to a traumatic workplace fatality and examines how various organizations involved in the coronial process following the death viewed its ability to accommodate the needs and wishes of surviving families.

Bereaved Family Members’ Views of the Value of Coronial Inquests Into Fatal Work Incidents

“…Analyses of the extent to which the reports from coronial investigations identify root causes or systemic failures as contributors to fatal work incidents conclude that coroners do not always extend their investigation beyond the immediate cause of death to examine possible systemic failures (Cooke & Lingard, 2011; Hopkins et al., 1992). The present findings reinforce earlier research on the coronial system and fatal work incidents which, while identifying positive changes, highlights significant limitations in both resourcing and the practices and expertise of coroners (Matthews et al., 2016).…”

“…In Australia, each jurisdiction has its own Coroners Act that governs the holding of inquests. With the exception of Tasmania, inquiries are not mandatory for fatal work incidents (Matthews, Fitzpatrick, Quinlan, Ngo, & Bohle, 2016). It is the coroner’s decision as to whether an inquest is held or whether an administrative finding with a simple narrative of the cause of the death (chamber report) is all that is required (Hands, 2010).…”

An Opportunity to Be Heard: Family Experiences of Coronial Investigations Into Missing People and Views on Best Practice

“…Moreover, many participants in this study reported feeling better prepared for, and less anxious about, inquests, in cases where they were provided timely access to evidence in the brief and referrals to support services. These results accord with research specifying the benefit of timely referrals and allowing families “first hand” access to the evidence to enable full participation in proceedings, to minimise surprises, and to elucidate the scope of the investigation (Victorian Parliament Law Reform Committee, 2006; Matthews et al, 2016). The present study extended the coronial literature by describing particular aspects of support services that were helpful.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Prolonged Grief Disorder in Families Bereaved by a Traumatic Workplace Death: The Need for Satisfactory Information and Support

“…Third, the study was part of a wider project that included detailed interviews with regulatory agencies (inspectorates, workers’ compensation authorities, coroners and police) and institutions (insurers, unions, employers, and lawyers) who deal with families following a workplace death. Their views provided a detailed understanding of how institutions respond to sudden work deaths, including the provision of information, counseling, financial, and other supports (26, 98). For example, the families of self-employed workers—a growing segment of the workforce in the gig economy—are largely denied access to workers’ compensation, and this financial burden causes considerable concern and financial distress, possibly exacerbating the mental anguish that families experience (28).…”