Individuals who operate in fields such as mining may face a variety of potential safety hazards each day. Although mining companies are constantly seeking ways to increase employee safety, coal mine accidents remain a major issue across the nation, and such incidents run the unfortunate risk of ending in catastrophe. A recent incident that took place at a mine in West Virginia has reportedly claimed the life of a 43-year-old man.
The incident is said to have taken place just after midnight on a recent Tuesday while the man was operating a shuttle within the mine. For reasons that remain under investigation, the shuttle suddenly struck a steel object . The man suffered a serious head injury in the process, and although he was rushed to a hospital for medical attention soon thereafter, he was pronounced dead later that day.
While officials have advised that an investigation is underway, no further details were provided as to what might have caused the object to fall into the path of the shuttle. A similar incident can affect an entire community and leave surviving family members to mourn over a sudden and unexpected loss. Those who suffer such a loss may experience a variety of hardships, some of which can prompt a need for financial relief.
With the extensive costs of end-of-life expenses and a potential loss of income, those who lose family members in fatal coal mine accidents may wish to pursue relief through the workers’ compensation insurance system. Since this can be an intimidating process, a person in West Virginia could consider retaining the services of an experienced attorney for assistance. An attorney can assist a client in pursuing the full amount of compensation available through all applicable sources.
