What to Do if You or a Loved One Has Been Injured in a Mining Accident

At The Spence Law Firm, our attorneys regularly represent clients in cases involving hazardous and dangerous working conditions Wyoming's industrial mines, including Wyoming coal mine accidents, Wyoming trona mine accidents, and other work-site accidents. We also handle mining accident cases in other states throughout the West.

With decades of experience taking on some of the biggest industrial corporations in the country, we know what it takes to win compensation for victims and their families in these tragic – and often life-altering – situations.

As a mine worker, it is important to understand the risks involved in your vocation. According for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over half of all nonmetal underground mining accidents involve falls and handling materials. Other common causes of mining accidents in Wyoming and throughout the West include:

• Co-worker negligence and mistakes by subcontractors or others • Defective tools and machinery • Electrocutions • Inadequate safety training and protocols • Mine fires and explosions • Occupational diseases • Vehicle, equipment, and machinery accidents

With mining accidents, it is critical for victims and their families to speak up and take action to protect themselves. With the skyrocketing costs of healthcare, lifetime medical bills for serious injuries and diseases – from paralysis to lung cancer – can easily climb into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In addition, if your injuries put you out of work, you are going to need some other source of income to cover your rent or mortgage and pay your other day-to-day expenses.

Many mine workers choose not to report incidents out of fear of losing their jobs. However, the law prohibits employers from retaliating against their employees for whistle-blowing (reporting violations of laws such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)) or filing a claim for workers' compensation. If your employer tries to retaliate, this will only add to your claims for financial compensation.

Steps to Take After a Mining Accident

So, what steps should you take after suffering injuries in a mining accident? The first and most important thing is always to seek medical attention. If time is of the essence, your health should always be your top priority. You will also want to inform your supervisor as soon as possible. Finally, you should speak with an attorney as soon as you are able to do so. You want someone with specific mining accident expertise.

Your employer and its insurance company will try to minimize your worker's compensation benefits, so you need someone on your side who can fight back and help you maximize the value of your claim. Also, depending on what happened, you may have additional claims against companies besides your employer.

Since workers' compensation benefits are limited, it is critically important that you assess all possible sources of financial recovery. An experienced mining accident attorney will be able to conduct a thorough investigation and fight vigorously to ensure that all of the responsible parties are held accountable for your losses.

The trial lawyers at the Spence Law Firm have taken on the biggest companies in the mining industry and won multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts where workers are seriously injured or killed due to unsafe work conditions.

Contact The Spence Law Firm to Discuss Your Situation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a mining accident, we encourage you to contact one of our Wyoming mining accident attorneys right away. Call (800) 967-2117 or contact us online to schedule your initial consultation at our Jackson, WY law offices today.