West Virginia Coal Miner Injured, Files Lawsuit
Every year, miners suffer serious injuries due to the decisions of coal operators to violate safety regulations. The employers in this industry are obligated by law to meet certain standards in order to keep miners as safe as possible, and when they neglect this responsibility the consequences can be catastrophic.
According to the complaint, despite pointing out a safety hazard regarding the height of the mine roof and track conditions to the defendants on several occasions, the plaintiff says the companies never addressed the problem.
On Aug. 3, 2013, the plaintiff was traveling on the back of a transport vehicle in the mine, without a hard hat, when his head hit the roof protrusion that he and other employees had noted to the defendants. The complaint also states that the employees that operated the man-trip did so at unsafe speeds and that the plaintiff did not have time to react to avoid the hazard.
The resulting injuries were severe, the suit claims, including traumatic brain injury, impaired mobility and activities of daily living, permanent scarring and physical impairment. Both defendants have suffered lost wages and benefits, future earning capacity, future medical expenses and past medical expenses totaling nearly $1 million.
Edward Ellis Jr. and Tina Ellis filed the suit Aug. 3 in Wyoming Circuit Court against Pinnacle Mining Co., Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., Cliffs North American Coal Inc., Cliffs Logan County Coal LLC, Cliffs West Virginia Coal Inc. and Cliffs Mining Services Company.
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Kenny hovatter
I’ve worked in the mines for 15 yrs they gave me a random drug test which I was clean but the person given it said the temp on the cup didn’t register so he dumped it out.even though it didn’t register I thought they had to send it off. They did give me another chance to pee 2 hrs.and I couldn’t when I got my papers I found out the law was 3 hrs. They took my mining cards,foreman cards. And federal dust cards. I just have found a lawler to take my case. Would you be willing took or know someone who would because that was my career and now I’m struggling and can’t even pay rent my cell # (304)435-5672 please return my call I’ve about lost hope