WILLIAMSON – A Baisden couple alleges the husband was injured during his employment as a coal miner because the respirators provided to him failed.
John F. Hatfield and Lora Hatfield filed a complaint Oct. 14 in Mingo Circuit Court against Mine Safety Appliances Co. LLC, Persinger Supply Co., Raleigh Mine and Industrial Supply Inc. and Eastern States Mine Supply Co. alleging strict liability and negligence.
According to the complaint, John F. Hatfield was employed as a coal miner from 1984 to 2015 and used respirators manufactured or distributed by the defendants. He alleges he has developed coal worker's pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) because the respirators leaked.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, all legal fees, interest and any other relief as the court deems just. They are represented by Timothy P. Lupardus and Tenisha D. Cline of Lupardus Law Office in Pineville. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Miki Thompson.
Mingo Circuit Court Case number 17-C-138