Widow Can't Avoid Statutory Cap on Death Benefits

The Georgia Court of Appeals ruled that a widow was not entitled to death benefits beyond the statutory cap even though she was not the worker’s sole dependent. Case: Baxter v. Tracie McCormick Inc., No. A21A0012, 07/01/2021, published. Facts and procedural history: Sheila Baxter is the surviving spouse of Royce Hutchens. He died in a motor vehicle accident while working for Tracie McCormick Inc. in 2012. Hutchens left no minor children, and no potential dependents filed a claim for benefits aside from Baxter. In September 2018, Tracie McCormick and its insurance carrier su...