Howard County police have released information regarding the traffic accident that left one 40 year old highway worker from Baltimore dead.
Police say the man, who was a state highway contractor, was closing a lane of state Route 216 in the Scaggsville area when he was hit by a Chevrolet Malibu. The man was reportedly wearing a reflective shirt as he placed cones in the road just prior to the collision. The worker was later pronounced dead on the scene.
According to authorities, the juvenile driver of the Malibu remained at the scene in order to cooperate with the investigation. So far no charges have been filed.
An administrator of the Maryland State Highway Administration released a statement expressing condolences to the victim’s family, and reminding drivers to reduce speeds and drive attentively in order to keep highway workers safe.
According to one report, in 2011 alone 688 people were injured and three were killed as a result of Maryland work zone related crashes. Nationwide, it is estimated that over 1,000 people are killed each year in work zone related crashes, with a majority of the victims being motorists or their passengers.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing.
Although workers on construction sites and their representatives may not be able to sue their employers for work-related injuries directly, they may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, disability, or any resulting death. Additionally, if a third-party aside from the employer was responsible for causing the accident, such as potentially the driver in this case, the individual or his/her family may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against that person or entity.
The Maryland Wrongful Death Statute governs the process regarding how wrongful death claims are to be handled. A wrongful death lawsuit is brought by the victim’s surviving family members on their own behalf. The claim seeks to compensate the family members of the loss of the victim’s life and his or her companionship, love, and financial support that the family would have received had the victim not died. Under the statute, only certain individuals may bring a wrongful death claim.
In a wrongful death claim, damages can potentially include the loss of future earnings, which are referred to as economic damages. There is no statutory cap on the amount of economic damages that one can be awarded in this type of suit. However, there is a cap on non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include things such like loss of companionship, love, and support and are therefore limited. An experienced wrongful death attorney can further advise you regarding the nature of your potential wrongful death claim, and what to expect during the course of your lawsuit.
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed as a result of a construction accident in the Maryland or Washington D.C. area, contact the experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen. We have many years of experience advocating on behalf of victims and families of these construction site accidents. We are dedicated to zealously representing you, and making sure that you receive the compensation you deserve. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we don’t recover until you do. Contact us today in order to schedule your free initial consultation. You can reach us through our website, or by calling 1-800-654-1949 today.
More Blog Posts:
Second Lawsuit Filed Against Monster Beverage Corp., Maryland Accident Law Blog, published June 28, 2013
Maryland Boat Explosion Hurts 6 Children, Maryland Accident Law Blog, published June 21, 2013