Coal miner says supervisor put him in headlock

BECKLEY - An underground coal miner is claiming he was injured when his supervisor put him into a headlock.

Donald E. Huffman filed a lawsuit Dec. 11 in the Circuit Court of Raleigh County against Pocahontas Coal Co. LLC and Matt Price, citing deliberate intent and violation of West Virginia Code.

The complaint states Huffman was employed as an underground coal miner at the Josephine mine. The plaintiff says he previously suffered a neck and back injury and received a 15 percent impairment rating.

On Jan. 20, 2012, Huffman was working when his supervisor, Price, put him in a headlock and caused him injury, which required medical treatment, according to the complaint.

Huffman is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages. The plaintiff is being represented in the case by attorneys Amy Osgood and Anthony Salvatore of Hewitt & Salvatore PLLC.

Raleigh County Civil Action No. 13-C-1037