State awards death benefit claims to 15 employees for on-the-job injuries including 11 who died from COVID-19

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Associated Press

The State Board of Adjustment has approved 15 claims for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who died as a result of job-related injuries or illnesses. Eleven of those deaths were a result of COVID-19 contracted while on the job during the global pandemic.

Juan Manuel Gomez-Lopez was a Pelham Police officer who died from COVID-19. His widow received $126,072.

Brandon Wyatt Ard was an Orange Beach Police officer who died from COVID-19. On October 27, 2021, his family’s claim was denied. The Comptrollers reversed that decision and voted to pay his daughter’s claim of $126,072.

Buddy Ray Crabtree was the Police Chief of Ider. He also contracted and died from COVID-19. The family of Chief Crabtree claim was also initially denied compensation in February. That decision was reversed at the August meeting, and the Board voted to pay his widow $126,072.

Steven Ray Finley was an investigator with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. He also contracted and perished from COVID-19. In February, the state rejected the claim. That decision was reversed, and his widow received $134,897.

Selma Police Officer Marquise Moorer was shot and killed on duty. He was ambushed at his home, returning to eat lunch. His mother received a death benefit of $124,331.

Michael Keith Morgan was a corporal with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Department. He died from complications from COVID-19. In March, his family’s claim was denied. That decision was reversed, and the board voted to pay his widow $126,072.

Harry Marvin Hutchinson Jr. died from COVID-19 while working for the Blount County Sheriff’s Department. His widow was awarded $126,072.

Larry Vincent was a firefighter who died from organ failure due to cancer he contracted from exposure to firefighting foam. His widow received $134,897.

Darryl Wayne Fortner was a Vestavia Hills Police officer Darryl who died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. His widow received $134,897.

McAdory Fire Chief Jeff Ray Wyatt died from cardiopulmonary arrest. His widow was awarded $134,897.

Brice Jordan was a firefighter with the Georgia Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. He was also killed by COVID-19. His widow received $126,072.

Shannon Marie Jordan was also a member of the Georgia Mountain Fire Department who died from COVID-19. Her adult children were awarded $126,072. She was the daughter of Brice Jordan and went on a ventilator just two days after his death from the same illness.

Lieutenant Justin Keith Roberts was an Anniston firefighter with 20 years of service who died from COVID-19. His widow received $126,072.

Doyce Julian Thomas Sr. was a Huntsville firefighter who died from cancer. His widow received $134,897.

Ricky Lee Woods was a longtime member of the Sumiton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad who died from COVID-19. His father was awarded $124,331.

COVID-19 claims were originally not a cause of death that the state would pay a claim for, even if it could be determined that the victim contracted the illness doing their duties for the state. The legislature passed House Bill 488 during the 2022 legislative session to change that retroactively.

The State Board of Adjustment hears claims against the state from citizens and vendors. The Board of Adjustment is also designated in state statute as the “awarding authority” for benefits to families of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty and National Guardsmen who perish while “quelling a riot, rout or civil disturbance.”

The members of the Board of Adjustment include State Auditor Jim Zeigler, State Treasurer Young Boozer, State Finance Director Bill Poole, and Secretary of State John Merrill.

“The families of law enforcement and state employees who die in the line of duty deserve compensation,” said Zeigler. “It is up to us on the Board of Adjustment to determine if it was a job-related death.”   

The State Board of Adjustment decides all claims against the state.  It approved the claims in an August 17 meeting.

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