Fatal occupational inhalation of hydrogen sulfide

A young man aged 22 years, a sewer worker by profession, died after massive inhalation of hydrogen sulfide while at work. He was rescued by the emergency services and admitted to the critical care department, where he died due to massive myocardial necrosis less than 24 h after admission. In this case, where the causes of the accident were not clearly established, autopsy and anatomopathologic examination made it possible to confirm the causal lesions which resulted in death and to question the initial version of the circumstances of the accident. Medicolegal investigation was valuable in determining possible liabilities and repercussions on coverage as an industrial accident by the national health insurance system.