The Most Difficult Moment — and the Legal Steps That Cannot Wait
A tragedy at the workplace is a devastating shock for the family. But in the very first days, relatives must engage with the legal process — both to ensure that the circumstances of the death are not concealed, and to protect the family’s rights under Russian law.
Even when company representatives refer to “external factors” or “drone strikes,” the employer and warehouse owner bear responsibility for evacuation organisation, fire safety compliance, and occupational health and safety.
Three First Steps for the Family
Step 1. Gather evidence of the employment relationship
Collect the employment contract or civil contract (GPC agreement), the warehouse access pass, bank records showing wage transfers, screenshots of work chats and shift schedules. Anything that confirms the worker was present at that facility and doing work matters.
Step 2. Participate in the official investigation — and the Н-1 Form
Under Articles 227–231 of the Labour Code of the Russian Federation, an investigation commission is established with the participation of the State Labour Inspectorate (GIT) and the prosecutor’s office. A close relative or their lawyer has a legal right to participate in the commission.
The mandatory outcome of the investigation is an Accident Report (Form Н-1) — an industrial accident record. This is the primary document for accessing the largest payments from the Social Fund. Without it, the payments are substantially reduced.
Step 3. Obtain victim status in the criminal investigation
File an application with the Investigative Committee (Sledstvenny Komitet) requesting that a family member be recognised as a victim in the criminal proceedings. This confers the right to access investigation materials, receive expert assessment results, and file civil claims within the criminal case framework.
Payments the Family Is Entitled To
2,000,000 roubles — a lump-sum insurance payment from the Social Fund of the Russian Federation, distributed among close relatives and dependants according to established proportions.
Monthly payments for minor children until they reach adulthood (or age 23 if studying full-time), calculated as the share of the deceased’s average earnings attributable to each child.
Wages owed and unused leave compensation — paid to the family within 5 days of the death.
Important: Keep All Receipts
Keep every receipt and contract relating to funeral services, transportation, and medical certificates. These costs are fully reimbursable by the responsible party — the employer, the warehouse owner, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should the family do in the first 24 hours? Secure all relevant documents: employment contract, warehouse access pass, work correspondence. Demand that the employer begin an investigation under Articles 227–231 of the Labour Code and ensure that a family member or their lawyer is included in the commission.
What is the Form Н-1 and why is it critical? The Н-1 is the official record of an industrial accident. Without it, the Social Fund will significantly reduce or deny the 2,000,000-rouble lump-sum payment. The report can only be obtained through the formal investigation — which is why joining the commission matters.
What monthly payments are the deceased’s children entitled to? Each child receives a share of the deceased’s average earnings until adulthood (or age 23 if studying full-time), calculated in proportion to the number of dependants. The amount is determined using the Social Fund’s formula.
Is the marketplace liable if the worker had a civil contract rather than an employment contract? Yes, but through a different legal route. The civil (GPC) agreement can be reclassified as an employment contract through court proceedings, or damages can be claimed under Article 1079 of the Civil Code. Either way, the family retains the right to compensation.
Read Also
- Death of a Contract Worker at a Warehouse: Reclassifying the GPC Agreement and Claiming Moral Harm Damages
- Marketplace Sellers After a Warehouse Fire: Legal Tools
Lost a close relative in an emergency at a marketplace warehouse? Contact us — we will help you correctly enter the investigation process, prepare the necessary applications, and secure all lawful payments for the family.