Coal Mine Injuries and Deaths

West Virginia is coal country. Coal has been mined in West Virginia for so long that it is a part of our collective identity. Coal mining is our heritage. West Virginia is known for its coal and for the hard-working coal miners who help provide power and electricity for the rest of the country. Coal mining is tough work. Unfortunately, sometimes coal mining in West Virginia turns out to be more dangerous than it should be, due to misplaced priorities.

Everyone knows that coal mining comes with a certain amount of risk. Because of this risk, coal operators must meet certain safety standards mandated by both federal and state law. Unfortunately, history has proven that sometimes coal operators don’t follow those safety standards as they are required because some coal operators sacrifice safety in favor of higher profits. When that happens, the coal operator may be sacrificing the safety of the coal miner in favor of financial gain. Failure to follow mandatory safety standards often leads to a higher number of serious coal mining accidents and coal mining injuries.

In fact, the attorneys at the Olivio Law Firm, PLLC represented victims of the coal mine explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, West Virginia. Following extensive investigations, federal, state and independent investigation teams concluded that this tragedy could have been avoided had the operator followed the law and safety regulations.

While everyone prays that West Virginia never experiences another tragedy like Upper Big Branch, future injuries and fatalities are almost a certainty. If you have suffered a coal mine accident injury, or if you have a family member or friend who has been injured in a coal mine accident, you need a law firm that understands coal mining and how to take on the big coal companies. You need a law firm that has actually been inside coal mines – that understands the differences between long wall mining versus block and pillar mining.

success stories

I want to thank Michael so much he went above and beyond. He was a great person to deal with in my case. He is very caring and respectful and he really cares about his clients and his job. Thank you very much. I can’t thank you enough. If you ever need a lawyer come here they are a great law firm.
Susie

Not only is Michael intelligent, hard-working, competent attorney, he’s also a good guy. He is a family man and the kind of person you can trust.
Rob

Michael is a fantastic attorney who guided my mom through her lawsuit and eventual settlement. He was supportive and always made sure we knew what was going on. You can tell he really cares about his clients and wants to do the best for them!
Mary

Michael cares about his clients, focusing on each case and making it his priority in order to help procure the best outcome possible. He is very down to earth which makes the experience of hiring an attorney less stressful and gives you the extra confidence. He will work honestly and diligently on your case.
Marcus

Michael is a wonderful caring attorney with excellent personal skills as well awesome knowledge for clients with personal injuries. Michael was a pleasure to work with and representing us. Thank you Michael for all your help and support.
John and Roberta

My experience with Michael was remarkable. I was injured in a car accident, overwhelmed by my symptoms and inundated by paperwork. While I was trying to make a difficult decision related to surgery, Michael negotiated the highest settlement available under the law.
Ray

The attorneys at the Olivio Law Firm, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia understand coal mining and how to take on those big coal companies, and win.

  • Our attorneys come from families of coal miners. We handle cases resulting from:
  • Coal mine explosions
  • Methane gas explosions
  • Coal dust explosions, also known as “float dust”
  • Electrocution from mining equipment
  • Negligent operation of mining equipment
  • Roof falls and roof bolting equipment injuries
  • Rib rolls
  • Workers compensation injuries and disputes