California Mining Accident Lawyers

For several decades, the mining accident lawyers at Masry & Vititoe have represented those who have been seriously injured. Through experience and education, our firm is able to expertly evaluate work related injuries and pursue personal injury claims on behalf of the injured plaintiff. Masry & Vititoe provides sophisticated legal services for almost any type of injury, including mining site injuries.

MONTCOAL, W.Va. --April 5, 6, 2010 - The rest of the country stands by helplessly and watches the numbers of the dead rise after an underground explosion at Massey Energy Co.'s Upper Big Branch coal mine in Raleigh County, about 30 miles south of Charleston. Although the underground mine is equipped with extra oxygen and airtight refuge chambers which are designed to provide enough air to keep miners alive for four days, there are currently 25 dead accounted for. Fourteen of the dead are unidentified, leaving agonized families wondering if any of the four trapped inside are their loved ones. It is thought that no one made it to the airtight refuge chambers.

One injured miner died in a helicopter en route to the hospital; two more miners are hospitalized and fighting for their lives.

Today is Tuesday. Today rescue workers will be drilling a ventilation hole to an area where four miners are believed to be trapped.

The disaster began with a huge toxic blast that shook the ground for miles. The current theory regarding the cause of the explosion is that methane gas may have built up in a sealed off section of the mine.

Charleston Area Medical Center is standing by, mustering their resources for additional patients.

Five mine rescue teams from Conso Energy and Massey, the state Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training team and emergency services are also standing by. Massey has announced that "we are working diligently on rescue efforts." However, at 2 a m, a 40 man rescue team was pulled because of rising methane levels and fears of sparking another blast and losing 40 more lives.

The company has posted a list. Some grieving family members are disturbed that they learned of their losses via a list and not a visit by a company representative. (A "holding area' is provided for the families.) But this is not the first time this company has failed to perform in an exemplary fashion.

According to MSHA inspection data, since March 17, there have been four violations related to ventilation, and last year there were 50 unwarrantable failure citations.

House Speaker Rick Thompson releases Statement

West Virginia - April 5, 2010"On behalf of members of the West Virginia House of Delegates, I extend deepest condolences to the loved ones of those lost in the Performance Coal Company mine accident and prayers for the safety of those injured and missing, as well the heroic rescue workers. West Virginia is a family, and when a tragic event like this takes place, it is extremely painful for all of us." ...Read More

115 Miners Rescued From Flooded Chinese Mine

BEIJING, April 6 --Nine days after being trapped in a flooded coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi Province, one hundred and fifteen Chinese miners have miraculously been rescued. 38 miners still trapped underground. Authorities had waited six days after miners were trapped, to make the first attempt to send rescuers into the pit to look for possible survivors...Read More

Heilongjiang Mine Explosion

CHINA, Nov 23 2009 -- More than a hundred miners died in an underground explosion at Hegang mine in Heilongjiang Province.

No explanation has been provided for the cause of the explosion so the wives of deceased miners came to find out for themselves. But they were met by police and security guards.

In the first half of this year more than 1,100 people have died in officially recorded coalmine accidents across China.

Mining accidents can be the result of accident, crushing injury, defective equipment, electrocution, improper operation, industrial accident, operator error, roof collapse, silica dust, training or procedure deficiency, vehicular accident.

If you or your loved one has suffered a serious injury or death due to a mining accident, then you want to contact Masry & Vititoe experienced coal mine accident lawyer. Masry & Vititoe offers free initial consultation and case evaluation. We only get paid if you get paid.

We work hard for you.

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