West Virginia Coal Mining Accident Attorney

Coal Mining Accidents

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.

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. They have produced over 216 verdicts or settlements of $1 million or more for their clients. These include a $27 million settlement for a construction accident (one of the largest wrongful death settlements in our state), a $25 million settlement in a coal mining explosion case and a $110 million settlement in an insurance bad faith class action suit. 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.

Types of 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 lengthy 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. Read additional information about burn injuries...

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. Roof collapse, a coal stockpile collapse or a longwall accident can also bring about this type of injury. Medical bills and lost wages can easily create a situation where a miner finds himself unable to keep up financially. To understand what can be done to help you and your family recover , click here to read more about crush injuries...

Roof Collapse On a daily basis, coal miner's 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. Read more about roof collapse accidents...

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 which supports the mine roof can weigh 30-40 tons. If there are unsafe conditions in the operation of machinery or defective equipment comes into play, those responsible should be held accountable for the consequences of their actions. Read more about longwall accidents...

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. Go to the firm's website page for more information on safety-MSHA-violations....

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 which 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. Read more about helping those who survive a wrongful death...

For more information on coal miner injuries and what can be done to compensate the victims, contact a West Virginia coal mining accident attorney today.