The Minas Gerais Court of Justice has ruled that the family of a public servant from Guimarânia is entitled to R$ 200,000 in compensation following his death from hantavirus. The court affirmed that the worker contracted the disease due to unsafe working conditions while demolishing an abandoned building without proper protective gear. This ruling highlights the accountability of employers in ensuring the safety of their workers in hazardous environments.

The decision, made by the court's 6th Civil Chamber, confirmed the initial ruling which indicated that the municipality failed to provide adequate personal protective equipment for the worker during the demolition job. As a result, he was exposed to contaminated dust and subsequently contracted hantavirus, leading to his untimely death. The compensation will be allocated as R$ 50,000 for the widow and R$ 50,000 for each of the three children.

While the ruling has been made, the case is still open for appeal, and the local government has not yet responded to requests for comments on the court's decision. This incident raises concerns about worker safety and the responsibility of local governments in protecting public employees, especially in high-risk jobs. It emphasizes the need for stricter regulations and adherence to safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.