Truck driver blames mine company for injuries

LOGAN – A mining company employee has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, alleging negligence in a Feb. 2013 incident.

Freddie G. Stollings of Chapmanville brought suit against Apogee Coal Company LLC of Charleston last month in the Logan Circuit Court, claiming negligence.

The plaintiff, employed as a truck driver at the defendant’s operation in Logan County, maintains that he suffered back and neck injuries on Feb. 9, 2013, when his vehicle struck a rut in the company’s roadway.

Stollings accuses his former employer of deliberate intent, claiming that Apogee was aware of faults in the road and failed to take corrective action to make repairs. Contending that the company violated both Mine Safety and Health Administration and state regulations, the plaintiff argues that, as a result of the accident, he has suffered physical and mental duress, as well as lost time from work.

The plaintiff seeks judgment for injuries and damages, plus attorney fees and costs.

He is represented by Douglas Witten, Donald Wandling and David Wandling of Avis, Witten & Wandling, Logan. The case has been assigned to Judge Roger Perry.

Logan Circuit Court case number: 15-C-23