Fines Still Owed From Fatal Mine Blast

Operators from an eastern Kentucky mine still haven’t paid nearly $700,000 in civil penalties for safety violations linked to an explosion that killed five workers in 2006, according to news reports. 

The unpaid fines were levied against operators of Kentucky Darby Mine No. 1 in Harlan County after officials from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) found that a defective seal allowed methane gas to leak into an area where the miners were using a torch. According to The Associated Press, MSHA found that Kentucky Darby failed to follow “basic” and “critical” mine-safety standards, which led to the fatal blast. 

Tens of thousands of Kentucky workers are involved in the Commonwealth’s mining industry. Although mining is a risky occupation by nature, companies are required by law to follow strict safety standards to minimize the risk of injury or death caused by a workplace hazard. That is especially true in industries like mining, where invisible threats – like leaking gas – may not be detected until it is too late. Other high-risk industries for workplace injuries include healthcare occupations, construction, and manufacturing and warehouse work, among others.  

Accidents involving workplace accidents can be complex. Kentucky has workers’ compensation laws that generally prevent injured workers from filing suit against their employers. But sometimes, an employer may not be the only party responsible for a serious accident. In those cases, the injured worker may be able to seek compensation from the other at-fault party along with the workers’ comp benefits they are entitled to. 

Obtaining compensation following a workplace accident can be critical to a person’s physical and financial wellbeing. Occupational accidents can lead to very serious injuries that may cause short or long-term disabilities, and the missed time at work – or inability to return to a former career that was profitable – can wreak havoc on a victim’s life.