Safety and MSHA Violations

West Virginia Coal Mining Accident Lawyer

Gradually, the laws have changed and improved to regulate the safety and health standards of the coal mining industry. Long known as a difficult and dangerous field, coal mining is now regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and laws such as the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act and the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act (MINER Act).

Even with regulations, in 2010 miners suffered 8,523 injuries and 71 fatalities. While many companies and individuals work to see that the coal mining industry is made safe, there are frequent violations of safety standards and MSHA regulations. These result in crush and burn injuries and, in the worst cases, wrongful deaths. Accidents such as a roof collapse, those from surface mining, explosions and fires, electrocutions, coal stockpile collapse and others can, many times, be prevented.

When violations of MSHA regulations result in injury or death, the families of hard-working coal miners suffer emotionally and financially. The Fitzsimmons Firm understands that financial compensation alone will not heal all the pain and suffering that an injury or fatality can cause. The firm's attorneys are West Virginians, born and raised, and have seen what the victims of coal mining accidents and their families have to endure. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been hurt in a coal mining incident, we want you to be represented by a proven West Virginia coal mining accident attorney from the firm.

Verdicts and Settlements

In the past 30 years, the firm's attorneys have won verdicts or settlements of a million dollars or more, over 216 times. These include one of West Virginia's biggest wrongful death settlements ever ($27 million), a $25 million dollar settlement for a coal mine explosion and a $110 million dollar settlement for a class action insurance bad faith action.

It is unfortunate that there are individuals who, to this day, will try to cut corners or ignore safety regulations. When this occurs, it takes hard-hitting legal action to bring about a verdict or settlement that truly compensates individuals for their losses. The firm welcomes the opportunity to assist you and your family during this time of need.

If safety violations led to injury or death, quickly contact a West Virginia coal mining accident lawyer from the firm.