Coal mining is one of the most common, blue collar professions here in West Virginia. It is also one of the most dangerous. There are very specific rules and regulations which govern the mining industry and strict standards to which mining companies much adhere. Too often, however, shortcuts are taken, safety procedures are ignored, mine shaft ventilation designs are not built according to exact specifications, and mine operators are negligent and careless with the lives of their employees.
When this happens, injury and death is likely to result. Coal dust and the methane gas found in a mine shaft is highly flammable and explosive. One wrong move in this type of situation can easily lead to a mine shaft explosion which could end up blocking ventilation systems thereby making it all but impossible for miners to escape to safety.
Injuries generally sustained by those closest to a mine shaft explosion can include penetration wounds, blunt trauma, broken bones, respiratory difficulties, blast lung and more. The damage caused by an explosion in a confined space is significantly higher than that seen from an explosion in an open space. Because of this, the mortality rate in this type of explosion can be expected to rise considerably.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a mine shaft explosion, or you have lost a loved one due to suspected negligence on the part of the mining company and its executives, contact Fitzsimmons Law Firm PPLC. Our law firm has over 30 years of experience in representing workers and miners. We understand how devastating these types of injuries can be and we are determined to be the advocate you need when fighting to recover compensation. Medical expenses, lost income and other accident-related costs can quickly add up making an already difficult situation even worse.
When you retain our legal counsel, we will have a West Virginia personal injury attorney review the circumstances leading up to the explosion, gather the evidence and documentation necessary to prove liability, and then advise you on your best course of action. Let us do the work while you concentrate on your recovery.