January 5, 2018

One man was killed and another injured when a construction site scaffolding collapsed beneath their feet, sending them the ground 25 feet below. ABC affiliate WJLA Channel 7 News reported that the incident occurred at the Sugarloaf Elementary School in Frederick County, Maryland on December 11, 2017. The worker who died was pronounced dead at the scene, while the injury victim was transported to Frederick Memorial Hospital for treatment of his broken leg. Officials continue their investigation into how the scaffolding accident occurred, as one key aspect of the investigation will center on whether there were any violations of regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The story raises some complex issues about how Maryland workers’ compensation rules apply when there is a potential failure to comply with OSHA rules.