By FireRescue1 Staff
WILMINGTON, Del. — Months after a rowhouse fire that killed three firefighters and injured four others, the city of Wilmington must pay nearly $9 million out of pocket for worker’s compensation.
Mayor Mike Purzycki said due to a 1980s decision, the city does not have insurance to cover worker’s compensation costs. The city is still receiving hospital bills and is unsure of how high the costs may go.
“It’s a horrific disaster and tragedy for these families,” Purzycki said. “We’ll work through the finances.”
One firefighter, Brad Speakman, spent 41 days in a burn center following the Sept. 24 fire; he is still receiving care and may need skin grafts, reported the Delaware Online.
The worker’s compensation coverage is separate from the life insurance policies, which the city has. However, officials have expressed concern that the worker’s compensation bills would equal around 7 percent of the city’s budget.
“When you’re trying to put together a financial plan for the city and all [of] a sudden you find yourself with a $7 to $9 million liability, it’s unsettling,” Purzycki said. “It certainly wasn’t something we anticipated.”
Capt. Christopher Leach and Lt. Jerry Fickes were killed in the fire, and senior firefighter Ardythe Hope died of her injuries weeks later. Firefighters John Cawthray, Terrance Tate and Peter Cramer were also injured in the blaze.
Purzycki said he is looking into worker’s compensation insurance options and other cost-containment measures.
“What we have to understand is the thinking that went into not having any protection at all for [a] potential liability like this,” Purzycki said. “We may find this was a decision made 30 years ago and no one ever changed it. We still have a lot of questions.”