Coal Mine Accident Injury Lawyer Lebanon VA

Coal Miner Injury Lawyer Lebanon VA

Coal mining is one of the toughest and most dangerous jobs in the world. It takes immense courage and bravery on the part of miners to go deep underground and get the job done. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees in the coal mining industry are more likely to be killed or to incur a significant non-fatal injury or illness, and their injuries are more likely to be severe than workers in the private industry as a whole.

Today, we have better conditions and fewer deaths. Still, coal mining is still a very dangerous industry, and the possibility of injury and death at every step is very real, as it is damp, dark, and difficult to breathe under the cramped conditions of a mine.

If you suffered a catastrophic injury or lost a loved one due to a coal mining accident, we urge you to call our office to schedule a free consultation with Lebanon coal mining injury lawyer Mark Hurt. Mark brings to each case a background of having litigated before the United States Supreme Court, as well as working for one of the largest law firms in the country. He will listen to the facts of your case, explain your legal options, and (if necessary) tenaciously fight at trial to get you everything to which you are rightfully entitled.

What Type of Compensation May I Be Entitled to Recover for a Coal Mining Injury?

Injuries and illnesses suffered while working in coal mines can be debilitating and expensive. Further, when a worker suffers a wrongful death, it can be heartbreaking for family members who are left behind. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we understand the significant physical, emotional, and financial toll that coal mining accidents can take on workers and their loved ones. When an individual hires our firm, we put our extensive experience to work in exploring every potential avenue for maximum compensation.

Most work injuries are covered under an employer’s workers’ compensation policy, which is a no-fault system. This means that an injured miner is entitled to benefits regardless of who was at fault for an accident, including compensation for medical treatment, a percentage of lost wages, and disability. Because securing workers’ compensation does not require proving negligence, it is often an easier avenue for recovering damages than a personal injury suit. However, the claims process can be challenging, and many employers make it difficult for workers to obtain the full compensation and benefits they deserve.

While injured workers normally are only able to obtain workers’ compensation benefits from an employer, they are free to sue any third parties that are responsible for injury or death. Thus, in some situations, a third-party might be liable for a portion (of all) of a workplace injury. For example, if an outside company supplies defective equipment that causes an injury, it may be possible to collect damages through a civil lawsuit. While it is more difficult to succeed in a personal injury or products liability lawsuit than to get approved for workers’ comp benefits, more compensation is typically available. In addition to healthcare expenses and lost wages, a victim may be entitled to non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality and enjoyment of life, and (in some cases) punitive damages.

Generally, it is difficult to win a personal injury lawsuit against a coal mining employer who has workers’ compensation insurance. However, it may be possible to pursue a deliberate intent case, if the company committed intentional acts that directly caused an accident. These types of cases are extremely challenging to pursue, as there is a high burden of proof that must be met.

If you are unsure of the type of compensation to which you may be entitled, call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation. We can explain all options for potential recovery.

How Much Does an Experienced Lebanon, VA Coal Mining Injury Lawyer Cost?

At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we understand the devastating impacts that a coal mining injury can have on both an injured worker and his or her family. For this reason, we represent victims on contingency, meaning we do not collect a fee unless we are successful in recovering compensation. Further, we advance all litigation expenses while a case proceeds, so our clients do not have to compromise their family’s well-being to afford quality legal representation.

Common Coal Mine Accidents That Cause Injuries or Death

Nearly 4,000 miners are injured each year. In comparison to the limited number of American miners, this makes mining one of the most dangerous occupations in America. Miners work in small spaces underground and operate heavy equipment, resulting in many accidents that can be caused by negligence, intent, coincidence, or natural occurrences. Despite stringent safety regulations, thousands of significant injuries occur each year. The following are a few of the most prevalent causes of mining injuries and fatalities.

Slip and Falls

The damp conditions and slippery surfaces in compact coal mines often lead to slip and fall accidents. However, mining companies have a duty to take preventive measures to avoid injuries caused by slipping and falling.

It is their responsibility to train workers in safety matters, manage miners, take precautions, and provide safety equipment to wear on the job. If these responsibilities are not adequately met and miners are injured in a slip and fall accident, the company may be held liable.

Explosions

Fires and explosions in mines have led to large-scale disasters that have killed thousands of innocent employees. Coal mining results in methane gas being released into the atmosphere, which increases the level of methane present in the air inside a coal mine. Most mining companies place methane detectors in caves to alert workers if methane levels rise. In some cases, these detectors may also automatically shut off heavy machinery if the amount of methane in the air reaches unsafe levels. All these measures are in place to avoid methane-related explosions.

Additionally, most people are unaware that coal dust, which is heavily present in mines, is also highly explosive. If methane detectors and proper ventilation are not present, a tragic explosion could easily occur. If you were the victim of such an explosion, we urge you to call The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt to consult with a VA coal miner injury lawyer who can discuss your case and the compensation to which you might be entitled.

Falling Roof and Rib Rolls

Potential roof falls in coal mines are among the most significant hazards for miners. In fact, 70% of all deaths in U.S. underground coal mines are attributable to groundfall incidents. When such a tragedy occurs, workers typically sustain life-threatening injuries or death.

If you were involved in a roof fall or rib roll accident, Lebanon coal mine injury attorney Mark Hurt could assist in identifying the cause of the accident and fight tenaciously in seeking to hold all responsible parties accountable for failing to maintain safe working conditions. Further, our experienced team of personal injury lawyers can aggressively fight for the maximum compensation possible.

Electrical Accidents

Coal mine companies in Lebanon, Virginia, and the surrounding areas must be mindful and take necessary precautions to prevent any injuries or deaths from electrical accidents. These accidents can be caused by faulty or malfunctioning machinery or improper electrical safety procedures.

Many electrical accidents in coal mines occur simply because management decisions to ignore safety guidelines. They may bypass safety precautions and systems to save time or utilize machinery with faulty wiring. This is where a VA coal miner injury lawyer can help you make a strong case by proving negligence or blatant disregard of electrical safety at trial.

Poor Maintenance and Defective Equipment

Coal mines use heavy-duty industrial machines that are not commonly utilized by everyday laypeople. This is because these are specialized machines, made and used for special mining purposes. These machines typically go through rough usage on a daily basis such that a detailed safety and maintenance program needs to be performed.

If equipment is not maintained correctly or is defective, injuries are likely to result. Unfortunately, many employers avoid routine maintenance or use defective equipment to save time or money.

If you were injured as a result of faulty equipment or machinery, you deserve justice and the full and fair compensation needed to care for your injuries. As an experienced VA coal miner injury lawyer, Mark Hurt understands common coal mining equipment and can help assemble evidence in seeking to prove that improper maintenance or defects were the cause of your injuries if this is the case.

Why You Should Hire the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt

Coal mining accidents that lead to injuries or death can be difficult to explain and prove in court. If you have suffered from such an accident, filing and fighting the case on your own is typically not wise, as your chance of success increases substantially when you are represented by an experienced Virginia coal accident injury lawyer. Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation.