Amount and duration of compensation. If an injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment causes the death of an employee in the employ of an employer, within the provisions of chapters 616A to 616D, inclusive, of NRS, the compensation is known as a death benefit, and is payable as follows:
1. In addition to any other compensation payable pursuant to chapters 616A to 616D, inclusive, of NRS, burial expenses are payable in an amount not to exceed $5,000. When the remains of the deceased employee and the person accompanying the remains are to be transported to a mortuary or mortuaries, the charge of transportation must be borne by the insurer.
2. To the surviving spouse of the deceased employee, 66 2/3 percent of the average monthly wage is payable until his death or remarriage, with 2 years’ compensation payable in one lump sum upon remarriage.
3. In the event of the subsequent death of the surviving spouse:
(a) Each surviving child of the deceased employee must share equally the compensation theretofore paid to the surviving spouse but not in excess thereof, and it is payable until the youngest child reaches the age of 18 years.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 11, if the children have a guardian, the compensation they are entitled to receive may be paid to the guardian.
4. Upon the remarriage of a surviving spouse with children:
(a) The surviving spouse must be paid 2 years’ compensation in one lump sum and further benefits must cease; and
(b) Each child must be paid 15 percent of the average monthly wage, up to a maximum family benefit of 66 2/3 percent of the average monthly wage.
5. If there are any surviving children of the deceased employee under the age of 18 years, but no surviving spouse, then each such child is entitled to his proportionate share of 66 2/3 percent of the average monthly wage for his support.
6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, if there is no surviving spouse or child under the age of 18 years, there must be paid:
(a) To a parent, if wholly dependent for support upon the deceased employee at the time of the injury causing his death, 33 1/3 percent of the average monthly wage.
(b) To both parents, if wholly dependent for support upon the deceased employee at the time of the injury causing his death, 66 2/3 percent of the average monthly wage.
(c) To each brother or sister until he or she reaches the age of 18 years, if wholly dependent for support upon the deceased employee at the time of the injury causing his death, his proportionate share of 66 2/3 percent of the average monthly wage.
7. The aggregate compensation payable pursuant to subsection 6 must not exceed 66 2/3 percent of the average monthly wage.
8. In all other cases involving a question of total or partial dependency:
(a) The extent of the dependency must be determined in accordance with the facts existing at the time of the injury.
(b) If the deceased employee leaves dependents only partially dependent upon his earnings for support at the time of the injury causing his death, the monthly compensation to be paid must be equal to the same proportion of the monthly payments for the benefit of persons totally dependent as the amount contributed by the deceased employee to the partial dependents bears to the average monthly wage of the deceased employee at the time of the injury resulting in his death.
(c) The duration of compensation to partial dependents must be fixed in accordance with the facts shown, but may not exceed compensation for 100 months.
9. Compensation payable to a surviving spouse is for the use and benefit of the surviving spouse and the dependent children, and the insurer may, from time to time, apportion such compensation between them in such a way as it deems best for the interest of all dependents.
10. In the event of the death of any dependent specified in this section before the expiration of the time during which compensation is payable to him, funeral expenses are payable in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
11. If a dependent is entitled to receive a death benefit pursuant to this section and is less than 18 years of age or incompetent, the legal representative of the dependent shall petition for a guardian to be appointed for that dependent pursuant to NRS 159.044. An insurer shall not pay any compensation in excess of $3,000, other than burial expenses, to the dependent until a guardian is appointed and legally qualified. Upon receipt of a certified letter of guardianship, the insurer shall make all payments required by this section to the guardian of the dependent until the dependent is emancipated, the guardianship terminates or the dependent reaches the age of 18 years, whichever occurs first, unless paragraph (a) of subsection 12 is applicable. The fees and costs related to the guardianship must be paid from the estate of the dependent. A guardianship established pursuant to this subsection must be administered in accordance with chapter 159 of NRS, except that after the first annual review required pursuant to NRS 159.176, a court may elect not to review the guardianship annually. The court shall review the guardianship at least once every 3 years. As used in this subsection, “incompetent” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 159.019.
12. Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (a) and (b), the entitlement of any child to receive his proportionate share of compensation pursuant to this section ceases when he dies, marries or reaches the age of 18 years. A child is entitled to continue to receive compensation pursuant to this section if he is:
(a) Over 18 years of age and incapable of supporting himself, until such time as he becomes capable of supporting himself; or
(b) Over 18 years of age and enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited vocational or educational institution, until he reaches the age of 22 years.
13. As used in this section, “surviving spouse” means a surviving husband or wife who was married to the employee at the time of the employee’s death.
Last modified: February 25, 2006