Given the booming economic times, many southwest Virginians may find themselves, back on the job, but making the commute into West Virginia to work in the mines, or elsewhere there. Some folks may find themselves working here in Virginia but being sent into a West Virginia to either work on a customer there, or to work at one of their company’s West Virginia locations. We could devote several blogs to the differences in West Virginia and Virginia’s law, but to sum it up, West Virginia’s laws, are much fairer to victims of workplace accidents than in Virginia, by far. For this reason, it is imperative to consult a workplace accident lawyer that is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia.
Workplace Accident Lawyer | Virginia Residents Return to Work in West Virginia
Coal and Metallurgical Steel mines have been booming this year. In October 2021, NPR reported that coal production was up “sharply” after hitting a 50 year low in 2020. Natural gas prices rose during the summer of 2021 while the price of coal remained stable. Production of electricity produced by coal rose 22%. Add to that, the need to metallurgical steel has increased as well, partly to support new infrastructure projects included in global pandemic recovery bills. In November 2021, the Virginia Mercury reported that three Virginia mines have been restarted, the JMAC Surface Mine, the Hickory Gap Surface Mine, and the Osaka underground mine and several applications mining permits have been filed. And the news is even better in West Virginia, where the news came early last fall that the Glen Alum mine in Mingo County would be reopened. Other Mines in West Virginia has followed suit. Many out of work miner from Virginia and West Virginia have returned to the mines and FOX News reported in May 2022 that the West Virginia mines are looking for more skilled miners. Reports of $100,000 annual salaries being offered will likely entice Virginia miners to head to West Virginia.
Workplace Injury Lawyer | Safe Working Conditions for West Virginia and Virginia Miners
As the demand for coal rises, the need for labor increases. Like many other sectors in the United States, the coal mining industry has faced a shortage of workers. Workers are often drawn to the mines for higher salaries. Those high salaries are well-deserved with long hours, back breaking work and risky working conditions. For Virginia and West Virginia residents, the Upper Big Branch South Mine explosion is still top of mind. On April 5, 2010, 29 miners lost their lives when an explosion occurred due to improper ventilation that allowed Methane gas to accumulate. Just a few days ago, a mine located just 70 miles south of Eagle Pass, Texas, flooded and collapsed, trapping 10 miners. As of the date of this posting, those miners have not been rescued. There is also a risk for anyone working with heavy equipment, whether underground or with surface mining.
Workplace Injury Attorney | Know Your Rights
For a Virginia resident, if you are working for a Virginia company and sent into West Virginia to work on a customer’s product/premises, haul from a West Virginia mine etc., or any other number of things that put you in West Virginia, and you become injured, depending on the facts of your case, you could have more than just a Virginia workers’ compensation claim. You may have a West Virginia worker’s compensation claim, a potential of a third party claim against the customer and, depending on the facts, you could also have what is called a deliberate intent claim, which is a civil action against your employer. It pays to know your rights. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
