Investigators in Barton, Maryland, are trying to determine the cause of the wall collapse that led to the death of two miners on Michael Road. Dale Jones, 51, and Mike Wilt, 38, were both killed on the site last week.
According to Amy Louviere, Mine Safety and Health Administration spokeswoman, the team will look at the accident site, interview mining personnel, try to determine potential causes for the collapse, and look to see whether the conditions at the site where in compliance with federal health and safety standards.
Both Jones and Wilt had been operating heavy equipment at the strip mine when a 125-feet high wall collapsed. The two miners were buried in thousands of tons of earthen materials as a result. The victims were discovered inside their equipment after a three-day intensive search. Autopsies took place at the Maryland State Medical Examiner’s Office and the two men are believed to have died instantly.
When someone is injured or killed on the job because of negligence, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ Compensation laws are there to make sure that employees who are injured on the job are given a specific amount of compensation. They also allow dependents of workers that are killed on the job to receive benefits. Certain laws can protect employers and fellow workers by limiting the amount of liability that can be recovered.
Although workers compensation laws exist to help injured workers and dependents receive their financial recovery, an experienced attorney can help you make sure that you achieve the maximum recovery possible for your injury or loss.
If you are injured on the job or if you have lost someone because of a work-related injury, it is important that you speak to an attorney first before agreeing on a compensation amount with representatives of the company held liable for the injury or their insurance company.
Lebowitz and Mzhen is a personal injury law firm that has successfully represented clients in the Maryland and Washington D.C. areas who have been injured because of another’s negligence. We have also successfully represented clients in Car accidents, truck accidents, dog attacks, boating accidents, and pedestrian accidents. Contact Lebowitz and Mzhen for your free consultation.
Investigation of fatal mine accident under way, The Cumberland Times-News, April 24, 2007
Workers’ Compensation, Cornell Law School
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