West Virginia Coal Mining Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured or lost their life while working in the mines, an experienced West Virginia coal mining accident lawyer at West Law Firm can help. We have a successful track record of helping workers injured by safety violations recover full and fair compensation, and our attorneys know what it takes to win.

We recognize that coal mining is an important industry for West Virginia. However, coal companies are required by law to follow certain safety regulations and industry standards.  When corporations choose profit over safety, employees often get hurt or killed, and that’s not fair to West Virginia workers and their families. That’s why we’re proud to represent and fight for West Virginia coal miners.

We invite you to call one of our experienced West Virginia coal mining accident lawyers today for a free consultation toll-free number at 1-877-943-WEST (1-877-943-9378).  There’s never a fee unless and until you win.

West Virginia Worker’s Compensation versus Deliberate Intent Claims

If you were injured while coal mining or working for a coal mining company, you were likely directed to file for West Virginia workers’ compensation benefits, which was appropriate.  However, as you may have already learned, West Virginia worker’s compensation benefits are often not enough, especially after a serious coal mining injury or wrongful death.

To get fair compensation for lost wages, pain, suffering, and medical bills, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit against a negligent landowner and/or the manufacturer of any defective equipment or dangerous chemicals.  The general rule is that employers are immune from civil lawsuits involving their injured workers.  However, if you were injured by a dangerous work condition that your employer knew about that was a violation of safety standard or regulation, then you may have what is called a West Virginia deliberate intent claim against your employer.

At West Law Firm, we have a successful track record of helping injured workers with West Virginia deliberate intent claims recover the compensation they deserve.  We also understand the complexities of the laws and regulations that govern coal mining accidents and deliberate intent claims.  In other words, we know what it takes to win.

Why It’s Important to Consult with a West Virginia Coal Mining Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a coal mining accident, there are many reasons why it’s important to speak with an experienced coal mining accident lawyer as soon as possible after an injury, including the below:

• Evidence may fade, be lost, or destroyed. An experienced coal mining accident lawyer can help protect and preserve critical evidence to your case.
• First, coal mine owners and operators will not increase safety standards and procedures unless their bottom line is affected.  As you probably already know, they’re in it to make a profit.  In fact, in December of 2013, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, also known as MSHA, issued 135 citations during its inspections of West Virginia mines, according to the West Virginia Gazette.  May there never be another Sago or UBB mine disaster.  Your legal action, combined with the legal action of other injured coal miners, will increase worker safety and reduce future coal mining accidents.
• Second, workers compensation may not fully compensate you for your losses, including past and future lost wages, pain, suffering, and medical bills.  You may be entitled to much more than workers compensation benefits, including in some cases punitive damages.
• Third, only an attorney, who focuses his practice on work injury law and, specifically, West Virginia coal mining accidents, has the insider’s knowledge to understand what happened, and fully represent you and your best interests. 

West Virginia Coal Mine Accidents are All Too Common

Each and every year, West Virginians are killed and injured in coal mine accidents like these.

• As of October 2013, 6 West Virginia coal miners had been killed in 2013, 7 in 2012, 6 in 2011, and 35 in 2010 – about 200 deaths between 1996 and present-day.
• The number of non-fatal injuries is much higher, in the thousands.  In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that 50,000 coal miners were injured nationwide between 1996 and 2012.

Many deaths and injuries can be prevented if proper safety precautions, including training, safety equipment, and safety checks, are used.  Unfortunately, coal mining companies all too often put profit over human life and safety.  West Law Firm is working hard to change that.

The Major Causes of West Virginia Coal Mining Accidents and Injuries

Of course, coal mining is a dangerous industry.  However, coal mine owners and operators, all too often, put coal miners in needless danger in an effort to try and increase profits.  Greed is usually at the root of most coal mining injuries, and some common causes of coal mining accidents are:

• Coal mine explosions
• Coal mining electrical injury and death
• Coal Stockpile Collapse
• Longwall Shield Collapse
• Roof Collapse
• Coal mine equipment injury and death

Get a Free Consultation with a West Virginia Coal Mining Accident Lawyer

If you are a loved one has been injured or killed in a West Virginia coal mining accident, we invite you to call us toll-free at 1-877-943-WEST (1-877-943-9378).  We can help you recover full compensation, and you don’t have to worry about whether you can afford a lawyer because, at West Law Firm, there is no fee until you recover compensation.  Also, if it’s more convenient for you, we will send a West Virginia coal mining accident lawyer to you.