Types of Injuries in Coal Mining Accidents
Coal Mining Injury Claims
Many miners do not fully understand their legal rights and options when they are wrongfully injured on the job. It can be an unwelcome shock to a miner and his family when neither their company nor insurance representative is wholly willing to pay fair compensation for injuries or a wrongful death sustained while working.
Negligence or carelessness by a company, equipment manufacturer, or others can directly lead to coal mining accidents. When this happens, someone needs to step forward to protect your rights under the law and aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf. This is where the Fitzsimmons Law Firm PLLC digs in and goes to work.
Contact a West Virginia coal mining accident attorney for proven representation if a loved one was injured in a coal mining accident.
You wouldn't trust a doctor who had never healed a patient and likewise, you should not retain an attorney who can't show you the results he has gotten. The firm has worked for 3 decades to help hard-working people who are injured on the job through no fault of their own.
Our firm has secured well over half a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of its clients, including 125 verdicts and settlements over $1 Million. Please read on to learn about some of the types of injuries a miner can suffer and the cases the firm takes on for West Virginia's coal miners.
Click on the links given below for more information about the firm and what a West Virginia coal mining accident lawyer can do for you.
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Types of Mining Injuries:
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries to miners come from a number of different sources including:
- Explosions and fires (particularly those from methane gas)
- Chemical-related burns
- And those brought about by inhaling smoke, heat, or toxins
These injuries can be some of the most painful and hard to heal, sometimes requiring long periods of medical treatment and care. When burn injuries are caused by negligence, you and your family may need financial support to make it through.
Crush Injuries
Injuries that can crush a miner frequently occur while using or being near heavy equipment, especially when the machinery proves to be defective.
These types of injuries can still be brought about by a:
- Roof collapse
- A coal stockpile collapse
- Or a longwall accident
Medical bills and lost wages can easily create a situation where a miner finds himself unable to keep up financially.
Roof Collapse
On a daily basis, coal miners run the risk of a roof collapse with resulting injuries or, in some instances, death. Many guidelines and regulations are in place to prevent these accidents and when these are not followed or are haphazardly implemented, it is the miner and his family that frequently has to pay the price.
To those who are natives of West Virginia, the memories of the devastating consequences of a roof collapse go back many years. Something effective can be done, however, to see to it that the rights of those who are harmed are protected and secured.
Longwall Accidents
When longwall mining is used, the quantity of coal being mined combined with the size and weight of the equipment can end up in severe injury to the miner. The shearer portion of the machine can weigh up to 120 tons and the shield that supports the mine roof can weigh 30-40 tons.
If there are unsafe conditions in the operation of machinery or defective equipment come into play, those responsible should be held accountable for the consequences of their actions.
Safety MSHA Violations
Despite the improved laws and regulations on miner safety, the year 2010 saw 8,523 injuries and 71 deaths to miners.
Born and raised in West Virginia, the firm's attorneys have a thorough knowledge of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act and the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act and how these should be utilized to protect miners.
Through their law practice, they are also familiar with how these laws can be violated and what this can mean to coal miners and their families.
Wrongful Death
If a manufacturer or distributor of heavy equipment, a coal mining company, or other parties are negligent in such a way as to bring the wrongful death of a miner, there are legal actions that can be taken to aid the family of the deceased.
In many cases, a wrongful death lawsuit can be brought by the heirs or other eligible beneficiaries of the fallen miner. While compensation will not heal the emotional wounds of the survivors, it can help resolve a very real need for financial assistance.
Contact Fitzsimmons Law Firm, PLLC online or by phone at (888) 492-4303 to set up a free consultation with our compassionate attorneys in West Virginia.
