Miner alleges willful disregard of safety

LOGAN — A Cabell County miner has sued three mining companies for injuries allegedly received in a 2013 workplace accident.

Christopher Williams of Milton filed a lawsuit Feb. 25 against Alpha Natural Resources, Logan Corporation and Tincher Safety Inc. alleging negligence.

According to the complaint, on June 5, 2013,  Williams was employed by Logan Corporation to work at Alpha’s Bandmill mine. Upon executing his work assignment to remove a bed and liner from a Caterpillar 785 rock truck and install new ones, he was struck by the 1.5-ton truck bed when it dislodged and fell on him, the suit states.

At Logan Regional Medical Center, Williams was treated for multiple contusions and a broken leg, according to the suit.

The lawsuit states Williams had no previous experience with the rock truck equipment. The suit alleges the defendants knew he was not properly trained and failed to instruct or warn him of hazards to prevent injury and intentionally exposed him to unsafe working conditions, violating state and/or federal codes.

Williams seeks damages for medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning potential, pain, suffering, and stress, plus attorney fees and costs.

He is represented by attorneys Charles M. Johnstone II and Madeline George of Johnstone & Gabhart in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Judge Roger L. Perry.

Logan Circuit Court case number: 15-C-35-P