Security Guard Is Struck and Killed By A Tractor Trailer In Broward County

The tragic death of Harold Dayes highlights the inadequacy of Florida Workers Compensation Death Benefits when compared to Florida’s Wrongful Death Statute.

Harold Dayes was  employed  by a private security company.  On the morning of April 8th 2017,  Mr. Dayes was working as a security guard at Mohawk Industries in Pembroke Park, Florida.  In the early morning hours Vincent Minott,  pulled his truck out of a loading bay, thinking it had already been loaded.  However Mr. Minott soon realized  realized the trailer was empty, and he pulled back into the bay.  As Mr. Minott backed up he struck and killed Harold Dayes.

As reported by Channel 10 news,  Minott began backing up and did not see Dayes, who was in his direct path and appeared to be writing something down.

A witness told deputies that he yelled for Dayes to move, but that Dayes did not respond.

Deputies said Dayes was wearing an in-ear Bluetooth headset as paramedics were administering first aid to him.

Dayes was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This was a tragic event, and our condolences go out to Mr Dayes family.

Mr Dayes family is entitled to Workers compensation death benefits.

Pursuant to Florida Statute 440.16, death benefits are limited to $150,000.00, and are paid out in biweekly installments based upon a percentage of the deceased workers average weekly wage.  The $150,000.00 limit is further evidence that the Workers compensation system needs a complete overhaul.

Payments are not made in a lump sum, but rather are paid as follows:

• To the spouse if there are no children. Payment is 50 percent of the deceased’s weekly wage.
• To the spouse if there is a dependent child or children. Payment is 50 percent of the deceased’s weekly wage plus 16 2/3 percent due to the children.
• To the child or children if there is no spouse. The benefit is 33.3 percent of the deceased’s weekly wages for each child until they are 18 years old (or 22 if in school full-time.) A child who cannot earn a living because of physical or mental disability would continue to receive payments until the $150,000 maximum is met.
• To the parents if they were dependents of the deceased. They each receive 25 percent of weekly wages as long as the dependency continues or until the maximum is met.
• To any brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who were dependent on the deceased. They would receive 15 percent each as long as they remain dependent or the maximum benefit is depleted.

The only difference between a high wage earner and a low wage earner is the amount of time it would take the insurance company to pay out the $150,000.00 limit.  Likewise, there is no real distinction between a father that supports 3 young children or a father with no minor children.

Since Mr. Dayes was not employed by Mohawk industries, his family can pursue a Wrongful death Claim for the negligence of the truck driver.

Pursuant to Florida Statute 768.21, Mr. Dayes spouse and minor children can recover the following: