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Friday, March 29, 2024

Aracoma Coal Co. sued by worker who claims his eye injury was preventable

Coal mining

LOGAN – An electrician claims he was blinded in a work related injury that could have been avoided.

Bill Kinser filed a lawsuit on Oct. 26 in Logan Circuit Court against Aracoma Coal Co. Inc. and Alpha Natural Resources Inc. claiming the companies did not offer a safe place to work.

Kinser claims that while employed by the companies he was instructed to complete certain tasks that required the use of tools and machines that were in disrepair. Kinser alleges he and other workers alerted supervisors to the safety concerns and were met with resistance. Kinser claims that on Nov. 1, 2013, while working to repair a particular machine, he suffered a serious injury to his left eye including loss of vision, a torn retina which required numerous surgeries, and permanent physical impairment, all injuries Kisner claims could have been avoided had the companies complied with safety standards.

Kinser is seeking judgment against the defendants jointly and severely for compensatory and punitive damages in an amount to be determines by a jury, costs, attorneys' fees, prejudgment and post-judgment interest, and any other relief the court sees fit. Kisner is represented by Pamela A. Lambert and Karen S. Hatfield of Lambert Law Office in Gilbert and Mark Hobbs of Chapmanville. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge William Douglas Witten.

Logan Circuit Court Case number 15-C-295

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