Fatal Maryland workplace accidents and survivors benefits

Maryland employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance helps to provide financial assistance should an employee be injured or killed while working on the job. The benefits regarding workplace accidents apply whether the injury was the fault of the employee, the employer or another party. Also available through the program are survivors benefits, which are available to the victim’s immediate family should the injury be fatal.

An explosion in another state took a painter’s life. The 46-year-old male was painting an unfinished home when the explosion occurred. He was working in the home shortly after a plumbing and heating company had completed some work. Fire and rescue arrived on the scene around 10:30 a.m., but the home had already collapsed and fire had consumed the structure.

What was originally thought to be a propane tank that exploded on the premises is now being called a propane leak that ignited from within the home. The State Fire Marshal believes the incident to be accidental, but is continuing to investigate. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has also begun to investigate the incident.

When workplace accidents occur, the workers’ compensation insurance program provides benefits to the injured employee or survivors benefits. This type of financial compensation is to help the surviving family with not only the loss of income from the deceased family member, but also to help cover end-of-life expenses. A Maryland attorney with expertise with workers’ compensation benefits can help a family to understand and navigate the process.

Source: The Boston Globe, “OSHA investigating N.H. explosion that killed painter“, Danny McDonald, Sept. 20, 2017