Who should cover memorial costs for worker killed on 520 bridge?

Update: The Department of Labor & Industries tells MyNorthwest.com that Washington workers’ comp benefits include funeral expenses up to $8,772 and immediate payment of $4,386, plus survivor benefits. They say in the case the contractor is self-insured they may cover that cost. But the Department of Labor & Industries were not able to comment on the specific case of Joseph Arrants.

—Original story—

Family and friends of the man killed at the 520 bridge construction site have been trying to raise funds for his memorial, but should they be the ones responsible for that cost?

Joseph Arrants, 34, was killed in a 60-foot fall while working as a foreman on the 520 bridge project on March 12. The Department of Labor & Industries is investigating the death. But in the meantime, the family is trying to make arrangements for Arrants’ memorial.

His cousin DeVant Botello told KIRO Radio’s Ron & Don Show that the family has set up a gofundme page in attempts to raise the funds.

“The reality is our family is a bunch of working class heroes. None of us have ever had large amounts of money and we just wanted to raise enough money to cover some of the funeral arrangements,” said Botello. “We don’t have that kind of money just laying around.”

The family requested $5,000, but donations have poured in and have now reached over $40,000.

KIRO Radio’s Don O’Neill noted most of the donations weren’t huge dollar amounts, leading him to believe it was just a bunch of regular folks making the contributions they could.

“I’m looking at the people who have given and it’s not someone who went out and gave $20,000,” Don said. “You can tell it’s working class people just like Joe and just like you and just like us that gave $20 and $10 and $15 and $50 and $100. There are over 400 people that have contributed to that memorial fund.”

O’Neill would like to see Arrants’ family keep that money. Botello told Ron & Don that Arrants was the sole breadwinner for his family. His wife is a stay-at-home mom who cares for their two adopted children.

Co-host Ron Upshaw wondered if someone else, whether it be Arrant’s union, the contractor, the Washington State Department of Transportation or another party should cover the memorial costs.

“Joe was a member of the union. He was working on a contract state job and he passed away. You have to anticipate this is a possibility. Now who is responsible for the funeral costs of that?” Ron asked. “Is that the union? Is that one of the things you pay your dues for if I get killed while I’m at the job? Is it the contractor’s job? Because I hope it’s not back to the family.”

Kiewet-General-Manson, the contractor tasked with building the 520 bridge, has offered to help the family complete a driveway project Arrants began at his home before his death, along with a number of bridge workers who’ve offered to donate their time.

But there is no word yet on anyone stepping in to cover the costs of Arrants’ memorial.