Man Dies in West Virginia Coal Mine Accident

A coal miner died on February 26, 2023, in a mining accident in Mingo County, West Virginia. The miner was William Mapes, a 73-year-old resident of Freeburn, KY. Mapes had been a coal miner for 53 years prior to the fatal accident.

Governor Jim Justice released a statement about the incident, stating that Mapes was fatally injured while employed as a mining contractor near Central Appalachian Mining LLC’s Grapevine South Surface Mine.

Mapes’ death was the first reported coal mining fatality in the United States this year. Last year, there were at least 10 coal-mining-related fatalities, including four in West Virginia. The federal Mine Safety & Health Administration and the state Office of Mine Safety Health and Training will investigate the incident.

Common Coal Mining Accidents and Injuries

Although the governor’s statement said Mapes was “fatally injured,” it did not go into detail regarding his injuries. However, accidents and injuries are common in the coal-mining industry. Common coal mining accidents and injuries in West Virginia include:

• Burn injuries

• Crush injuries

• Roof collapse

• Longwall accidents

• Safety MSHA violations

• Wrongful death

Contact a West Virginia Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you have lost someone close to you due to the negligence or carelessness of another, the experienced West Virginia wrongful death lawyers at West Law Firm are here to help. Although no amount of money can ever replace the loss of a loved one, the compensation received through a wrongful death claim can help ease the financial burden caused by such a loss. When you hire a wrongful death attorney with a proven track record of success to assist you with your wrongful death claim, you greatly increase your odds of a successful outcome. Please call us at 1-877-943-9378 (WEST) or contact us here to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced wrongful death attorney.