Court Overturns Award of Statutory Minimum Benefit to Volunteer Firefighter's Widow

The Missouri Court of Appeals overturned an award of the statutory minimum benefit to the widow of a volunteer firefighter killed in the line of duty. Case: In re Hayes, No. SD37841, 01/10/2024, published. Facts: Russell Hayes served as a volunteer firefighter for the City of El Dorado Springs. In 2018, Hayes was killed while transporting a fire engine when he was ejected from the vehicle in a rollover accident. Procedural history: The city conceded liability for the payment of death benefits to Hayes’ widow but disputed the amount owed. An administrative law judge found Ha...