CLARKSBURG — A miner is suing ICG Tygart Valley alleging he was injured during his employment.
Edgar Greene was employed by ICG Tygart Valley as a motorman at the Leer underground mine, and he suffered serious injuries during a power move on Sept. 24, 2021, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.
The move involved dropping a high line, which is a common practice where the line descends from its hangers for nearly 1,000 feet, according to the suit.
Greene claims without warning, an employee dropped the high line at Block 49, striking Greene at Block 45.
The high line had a chain approximately 550 feet away that broke, causing the line to fall and injure Greene, according to the suit.
Greene claims safety measures, such as anchoring the high line securely and restricting access to the dropping area, were lacking.
Greene claims he sustained severe injuries, including a cervical fracture, multiple rib fractures, pulmonary contusion, larynx trauma, vertebral artery injuries and a fractured radius.
He claims mine management failed to implement necessary safeguards, exposing him to a high risk of injury or death.
Green is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is represented by D. Blake Carter Jr. and J. Ryan Stewart of Bailey Javins & Carter in Charleston.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia case number: 1:23-cv-00075
