Lawyers for the widows of two men killed in a 2006 mine fire want the state Supreme Court to declare that federal mine safety inspectors can be held legally liable when workers die as a result of their negligence.
A federal appeals court said last month the justices should explicitly decide whether Mine Safety and Health Administration inspectors can be liable, calling it a matter of exceptional importance for West Virginia.
On Wednesday, Delorice Bragg and Freda Hatfield petitioned for a ruling. Their husbands died in a conveyer belt fire at Massey Energy’s Aracoma Alma No. 1 mine.
An internal MSHA investigation found inspectors failed to identify and correct obvious safety violations that contributed.
The petition says the court’s failure to rule would effectively grant inspectors immunity they don’t deserve.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles in World-First Safety Policy 
Navigators Can’t Parse ‘Additional Insured’ Policy Wording in Georgia Explosion Case 
Berkshire Utility Presses Wildfire Appeal With Billions at Stake 
One out of 10 Cars Sold in Europe Is Now Made by a Chinese Brand 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.