LOGAN - A coal miner is suing companies involved with manufacturing and selling a respirator claiming it failed to protect him from harmful dust.
Douglas Paynter and Letha Paynter filed a lawsuit Aug. 16 in the Circuit Court of Logan County against Mine Safety Appliances Co., Persinger Supply Co., Raleigh Mine and Industrial Supply Inc. and Eastern States Mine Supply Co., citing strict liability, negligence and loss of consortium.
The plaintiffs state Douglas Paynter worked as a coal miner from 1969 until 1997 and used respirators manufactured, distributed and supplied by the defendants.
The defendants' respirators leaked substantial amounts of harmful dust, causing him to develop “black lung” according to the complaint. The plaintiffs contend the defendants failed to warn of the defective respirators, and were negligent in their design and manufacture.
The plaintiffs are suing for an undetermined amount of relief, including punitive damages against Mine Safety Appliances Co. Douglas and Letha Paynter are being represented by Mullens attorney G. Todd Houck.
Circuit Court of Logan County Case No. 13-C-212
Black lung case names four defendants
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