On- duty death of employee: As soon as you are able, contact an attorney. Do not agree to anything proffered from the railroad, prior to talking to a FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act) lawyer.
Contact Norfolk Southern Human Resource Representative, as soon as possible at 1-757-629-2820.
Human Resources will need the following:
Date Of The employee's death
Employees full name (First Name, Middle Initial & Last Name)
Next of kin, including telephone number. If the next of kin is the spouse, their Social Security Number and date of birth will be required.
Notify The Employee's Trainmaster (keep your spouse's Trainmaster's phone number on file).
Verification of employee's death and estate beneficiary are required by banking operations before any unpaid compensation (remaining vacation and personal leave days) for current year or vacation credit for subsequent year (if earned).
Banking Operations & Finance receive the "Notice Of Employee's Death" from Human Resources.
Banking Operations / Finance Clerk will send the Beneficiary Verification Forms to the next of kin, as reported to Human Resources. Those forms must be completed, notarized and returned to Finance before any funds are released by the railroad.
Call Met/Life For Insurance Information - 1-800-310-7770 Option 1
Active Employee's Death Benefit - $20,000
Accidental Death Benefit - $16,000 in addition to the $20,000
Retired Employee's Benefit - $2000
Date Of Birth Of Individual, Social Security Number, Current Address And Date Of Death
A Death Certificate Is Needed
Railroad Retirement Board Phone Numbers Are In The Phone Book Under Government Listing In Most Directories.
Go to: http://www.rrb.gov/ for more information, including, local phone numbers.
Documents That Should Be On File With RRB:
Photo Copies Of Employee's And Spouse’s Social Security Cards
Employee's Birth Certificate - Must Be Raised Seal Original
Spouse's Birth Certificate - Must Be Raised Seal Original
Certificate Of Marriage - Must Be Raised Seal Original
All Raised Seal Original Documents Will Be Copied And Originals Returned To Sender By Certified Mail If RRB Receives Them By Certified Mail.
Military Records (Record Of Separation From Active Duty Form DD214) – Must Be Original
Raised Seal Original Copy Of Death Certificate
Amount Of Burial Fund Money Received Is Determined By Years Of Service And Date When Service Began.
Burial Fund Of $255 Could Be Paid To Spouse Or Survivors.
Dependent Health Care Benefits (GA-23000) Will Continue Until The End Of The Fourth Month Following The Month Of The Employee Death (These 4 Months Are Part Of The 36 Months Eligibility)
COBRA Coverage May Be Continued For 36 Months From the Date Of The Employee's Death At A Rate Of $642.76 Per Month (A Qualified Beneficiary has 60 Days To Elect COBRA)
Major Medical Expense Benefits Are Available Under GA-23111 Plan C Until Medicare Eligible For $425.00 Per Month
Eligible Dependents Will Continue To Be Covered Under The Plan Until The End Of The Fourth Month Following The Death Of The Employee.
Contact Human Resource Representative. They Will Contact Vanguard and/or Merrill Lynch (401K plans).
Vanguard and/or Merrill Lynch Will Contact The Beneficiary Listed On The Account.
Contact your local American Legion or VFW Post for information concerning benefits available.
Contact Job Insurance Companies
Some job insurance companies provide Accidental Death Policies (BRCF provides a $50,000 Accidental Death benefit to its members). BRCF - 1-800-233-7080 LECMPA ph # - 1-800-514-0010 The estate should contact the companies that the member had a policy with to be sure that all benefits are received. In addition, they should make contact with all insurance companies which the family had policies with to take full advantage of any benefits available through those sources.
Some local units have policies available to their membership. Contacting the Local Chairman will ensure that all benefits are made available to the family. Contacting your Local Chairman will help find the right people to contact.