Workers' Compensation - Exemption From Exclusivity of Remedy - Action for Wrongful Death by Nondependent Child

SB 993 amends Maryland law to allow a nondependent child (such as an adult child not financially supported by the deceased parent) of a covered worker to file a wrongful death lawsuit if the worker dies from a work-related incident. Previously, the workers' compensation exclusivity rule prevented such lawsuits, but this bill explicitly removes that barrier. The law now states that workers' compensation benefits do not bar nondependent children from seeking damages under Maryland’s wrongful death statute (Title 3, Subtitle 9). This directly affects adult children who are not considered dependents under current workers' compensation rules.