Three Miners Killed This Month in WV - Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC

Last week, a Marion County miner died after suffering injuries in a Consol Energy mine accident. He was the third miner that suffered fatal injuries on the job in recent weeks. According to news sources, the 51-year-old man worked Consol Energy's Loveridge Mine for the past ten years. The man was killed when a metal bar that he was using to put a supply car onto the mine's track system kicked back and hit him in the head, said the state Office of Miner's Health, Safety and Training.

The man was injured around 9:30 at night was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. The mine halted operations the following day out to respect the man, his coworkers, and his family. A spokeswoman for Consol Energy said "Our thoughts and prayers remain with Mr. Clutter's family and loved ones during this difficult time."

After the accident, Consol Energy reassured its workers that "Safety remains at the core of everything we at consol Energy. It is our priority to prevent events like this one from ever happening and we continue to strive for a workplace experience of zero accidents." While mining is innately risky, accidents in West Virginia happen at an alarming rate. Last year, West Virginia was the leading state for coal mining deaths in the country.

Since the beginning of the year, five miners have been killed nationwide; three of these deaths occurred in West Virginia. Last year, the state passed new mine safety legislation. This year, state regulators are trying to implement the new standards. It is unknown if this month's string of mining deaths is related to the new legislation. To learn more about coal mining incidents, surface mining accidents and other personal injuries, contact a lawyer from Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC today.