Two families were awarded $100,000 in the wrongful death lawsuit in the deaths of two of their family members in 2007. While the families won their case and will split the award, they are still left with a sense of loss, but the hope is that with the case being settled, both families can move forward.
The accident occurred April 17, 2007 as the men were working on a 275-foot wall, when it collapsed on top of them and the equipment they were working on. The bulldozer operator, 38, and the excavator operator, 51, were both miners at the Tri-Star mine area near Barton, Maryland. The widows and the families of the two men filed a wrongful death suit.
The settlement of this case ends with the agreement reached and consent of all parties. The $100,000 settlement is in addition to benefits received from workers' compensation. Those involved in the case felt that the settlement was appropriate given the difficulties of the case.
The death of a loved one is always hard, and it's tragic when the death occurred at work. Like these families who lost a loved one, it is hard to know whether you have any recourse. An experienced personal injury attorney can walk you through your options and whether you have a case. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may be able to obtain compensation for the loss of income, financial support and household services provided by the deceased.
