According to Wave 3, a tragic accident occurred early this August that caused one coal miner to lose his life and another two miners to sustain injuries. The accident was not the first that occurred this year, but could have a lasting impact on the lives of the miners injured and leaves behind devastated family members of the miner who was killed. 
Our Kentucky personal injury lawyers know that working in a coal mine is a dangerous job and that there are risks to the health and safety of workers of going into underground mines. Still, accidents in mines should be prevented if proper safety precautions are taken and if safeguards are in place to protect the lives of workers.
Kentucky Coal Miners Suffer Injury and Death in Tragic Accident
As Wave 3 reports, preliminary investigations suggest that the tragedy in the Kentucky coal mine occurred as the mining crews were conducting a retreat-mining operation. The miners were at Huff Creek Mine on Black Mountain near Holmes Mills.
As the miners were working in the underground mine in Harlan County, the side of a coal pillar reportedly burst. A continuous miner machine was operating when the pillar failed and the miners became trapped. Retreat mining involves stripping useable coal, including the support pillars, from an otherwise mined location. As such, it is among the deadliest types of mining operations.
By the time rescue came to release the injured miners, one man- a 56-year-old worker from Appalachia, VA, had lost his life. The other two minors survived but with injuries.
The death was the second mining-related death that happened in the state of Kentucky this year, according to state officials. The first death occurred in January when a jack supporting a dozer blade slipped. The miner had been welding at the time.
Who is Responsible for Injuries and Losses
Miners who are killed in accidents often leave behind family members who were depending upon the miner as a breadwinner or to share the burden of supporting a family. Unfortunately, miners who are injured may also face struggles because mining is a very physical and labor-intensive field that requires a strong body and good health. If the injuries are permanent or impairing, a miner’s career may be over after an injury.
The family members of the deceased and the injured miners will need to ensure they have the money they need to take care of themselves and to get their medical treatment covered. There are several possible options that the injured miners can explore in order to obtain benefits and compensation.
