Many mining companies consider the safety and health of employees to be a top priority. However, there are some inherent risks involved within this field, and although less common than previous years, coal mine accidents continue to pose a serious threat. A recent accident in a mine in West Virginia reportedly resulted in the eighth mining death of the year in the U.S.
According to reports, the incident took place sometime before 9 p.m. on a recent Tuesday. A 32-year-old man was apparently involved in an accident while operating a continuous miner, and unfortunately, he died in the process. Although officials have reportedly initiated an investigation into the incident, no information was given as to what may have caused it to take place.
Even with the increases to safety measures and procedures, miners often face numerous hazards while on the job. Defective equipment and unsafe environments are just two examples of potential issues that can pose a significant threat to the health of a miner. Fatal accidents may occur at a lesser rate than previous years, but for a family, one lost loved one is one too many.
In addition to the emotional grief of such a loss, families of victims of fatal coal mine accidents often suffer from the financial ramifications of such an incident as well. End-of-life expenses can be extensive, potentially spurring a need for financial relief. When facing such a challenging process, a family in West Virginia could choose to retain the services of an attorney for assistance in pursuing the full amount of compensation to which they are entitled through the necessary outlets.
Source: wvmetronews.com, “WV MetroNews ??? 1 killed in Boone County mine accident“, June 14, 2017