Upper Big Branch mine lawsuit settled

MADISON - A lawsuit involving a contract worker who was injured during the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion has been settled and dismissed.

Alpha Appalachia Holdings Inc., formerly known as Massey Energy Company; Alpha Appalachia Services Inc., formerly known as Performance Coal Company; James B. Crawford; Robert H. Fogelsong; Richard M. Gabrys; Bobby R. Inman; Dan R. Moore; and Stanley Suboleski were named as defendants in the suit.

On Oct. 9, both parties represented to the Court that the matter in dispute between them had been compromised and settled, according to the dismissal order.

Jason M. Stanley was a contract worker injured at the Upper Big Branch Mine underground explosion on April 5, 2010, according to a complaint filed Oct. 18, 2011, in Boone Circuit Court.

"As a direct and proximate result of their illegal and unlawful conduct, defendants are liable to Jason Stanley for his personal injuries and pain and suffering and mental anguish and distress,” according to the suit.

Stanley was seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He was represented by J. Michael Ranson and Cynthia M. Ranson of Ranson Law Office and G. Patrick Jacobs of Jacobs Law Office.

The defendants were represented by A.L. Emch and Gretchen M. Callas of Jackson Kelly PLLC.

The case was assigned to Circuit Judge William S. Thompson.

Boone Circuit Court case number: 11-C-210