A six-year round of musical chairs over liability for a fatal steam explosion in downtown Washington is set to wind down this summer. With $50 million in potential damages at stake, the federal government and contractors are maneuvering to make sure they aren’t the last ones standing.
The dispute stems from wrongful death claims filed by families of Joseph Hudert and Francis Stotmeister, the two men killed in the 2004 explosion. Both were employed by companies contracted through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to work on steam and water systems connecting to the New Executive Office Building.
