Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents happen as a result of an injury at work, including injuries while at work, or from members of the public who die as a result of someone else’s work.
All businesses must ensure the health and safety of their workers and everyone who is influenced directly by the business, as stated in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Sadly, around 50 people die in workplace accidents in New Zealand every year.
Compensation for accidental death
If you are a partner or dependent of someone who has died from an injury caused by a workplace accident, you may be entitled to grants and ongoing financial support from ACC New Zealand, including:
- A one-off tax-free sum paid to the partner and each child or dependent under 18, called the Survivor’s Grant
- A weekly compensation sum for up to five years to help with childcare if your partner had children under the age of 14
- Weekly compensation until you turn 18, or until you finish full-time study (up until you turn 21) for dependents
- A funeral grant to help to pay for funeral costs.
Veteran’s survivor grant
If your loved one has died while in service or from sustained injuries while in the New Zealand Armed Forces, as a dependent, you may qualify for compensation to recognise your loss. This could be in the form of a one-off payment called the Survivor’s Grant, or a weekly payment called Weekly Compensation for Family. There are several conditions to qualify for this, including:
- Your loved one has qualifying operational service after 31 March 1974 outside of Viet Nam
- Your loved one died from a qualifying operational service-related injury or illness
- You are their spouse, partner, child, or dependent.
Frequently asked questions
ACC stands for the Accident Compensation Corporation, New Zealand’s universal “no-fault” personal injury insurance scheme. It covers citizens, residents, and visitors for accidental injuries, providing help with medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost earnings, regardless of who caused the accident.
If you are a partner or dependent of someone who has died from an injury caused by a workplace accident, you may be entitled to grants and ongoing financial support from ACC, such as:
– A one-off tax-free sum paid to the partner and each child or dependent under 18, called the Survivor’s Grant
– A weekly compensation sum for up to five years to help with childcare if your partner had children under the age of 14
– Weekly compensation until you turn 18, or until you finish full-time study (up until you turn 21) for dependents
– A funeral grant to help to pay for funeral costs.
This page has helpful information, including forms, relating to Financial support if someone has died from an injury.
The Veteran Survivors Grant is a one-off, tax-free payment provided to the spouse, partner, or dependent children of a deceased New Zealand veteran. It is designed to assist with immediate costs after the death of a veteran whose service-related injury or illness was caused by Qualifying Operational Service after April 1, 1974.
Find out more about this grant here.
WorkSafe is the Government agency responsible for workplace health and safety in New Zealand and they are tasked with carrying out fair and independent investigations into workplace accidents.
When someone dies at work, emergency services will be called straight away, as well as WorkSafe. There will be an official investigation carried out by the police and WorkSafe.
Related Resources
The Impacts of Grief in the Workplace: Creating Compassionate Leaders
In this episode, Katy talks to Judi Johnson, founder of Embrace Your Future, an organisation dedicated to reshaping the way leaders and workplaces understand, respond to, and integrate grief awareness into their cultures. Through her webinars and leadership training, Judi helps organisations build compassionate and psychologically safe environments where grief is acknowledged rather than avoided, and where people leaders have the tools and confidence to support staff through some of life’s hardest moments.
