WILLIAMSON – A Gilbert couple alleges the husband suffers from black lung disease as a result of defective respirators he used while working.
Jackie Lee Blankenship and Eva Gail Blankenship filed a complaint in Mingo Circuit Court against the Mine Safety Appliances Co. LLC, Raleigh Mine and Industrial Supply Inc., and Eastern States Mine Supply Co. alleging strict liability, negligence and other counts.
According to the complaint, Jackie Lee Blankenship worked as a coal miner in West Virginia and was exposed to harmful dust. He alleges the respirators manufactured and sold by the defendants failed to protect him and as a result, he developed coal worker's pneumonconiosis, or black lung.
The plaintiffs hold Mine Safety Appliances Co. LLC, Raleigh Mine and Industrial Supply Inc. and Eastern States Mine Supply Co. responsible because the defendants allegedly distributed defective respirators.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, court costs, interest and any further relief the court grants. 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-206