As the majority of Americans took a pause to gather and focus their thoughts on all there was to be thankful for, one family and the small West Virginia community where they live was given cause to mourn. Coal mine accidents claim lives each year, and 2020 has been no exception. With six deaths nationwide already recorded for the year, the death of a 20-year-old man brings the total to seven as December arrives.
Other than a brief statement by the governor of West Virginia, in which he expressed his condolences for the friends and family of the dead miner, little information about the incident has been released to the public. This is not unusual, as mining companies often try to keep the industry’s dangers out of the public eye. OSHA will be conducting an investigation into the death, as is standard in such cases.
Authorities have confirmed that an accident at a coal mine in Bob White, West Virginia, directly lead to the death of the young employee. An investigation is underway, so perhaps more information will be forthcoming. It may turn out that the owners of the mine are at fault for the death because the work environment was unsafe.
When coal mine accidents are the direct result of carelessness or unsafe practices on the part of mine owners or operators, the family of a deceased victim may want to consider legal action against the party at fault. In West Virginia, there are attorneys that specialize in seeking justice on behalf of coal mine accidents victims. An attorney can help a client seek justice and any applicable compensation in a court of law along with helping to bring the dangers of the mining industry to the forefront of the public eye.
