West Virginia Injury Lawyer Blog

The Associated Press reports that a steam valve failed at the ArcelorMittal tin mill in Weirton, West Virginia on Friday. After the malfunction, four workers were injured in the ensuing discharge, and one worker was injured seriously enough to be taken to a hospital in Pittsburgh over thirty miles away. One victim was taken to a local hospital, then released, and the remaining two were treated on site at the mill. The cause of the accident is still unknown, but is being investigated both by ArcelorMittal and United Steelworkers Local 2911 union.

West Virginians are some of the hardest working people in our great nation, and our citizens have long been accustomed to the dangers posed by working in tin mills. The tin industry has served as crucial element of our nations growth, and its importance to both the United States and West Virginian economies remains to this day. Accidents like the one that occurred in Weirton are an unfortunate byproduct of the monetary benefits brought by the presence of metal foundaries in our great state. When such accidents occur, the victims may have workers compensation, personal injury, or wrongful death claims. Consulting with a West Virginia personal injury attorney in the wake of such incidents gives you the ability to sift through the circumstances of the accident and discover the best course of action to ensure that your rights are protected.

The State Journal reports that a flash fire ignited several natural gas wells and liquid natural gas tanks and at Chesapeake Energy's Joseph Powers Pad that is only a few miles from the West Virginia border earlier this week. Flames eventually spread to a frac pond site, and over twenty fire crews from Pennsylvania and West Virginia responded to the accident to put out the blaze. The blast wave was felt by residents in the nearby town of Avella, and the cause of the explosion is still unknown and is currently under investigation by authorities. Three employees were injured in the fires and two sustained injuries serious enough to require being airlifted to a hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. All of the wells at the facility have been shut down and authorities now have the situation under control.

The dangers of fossil fuel production are well-known by the residents of West Virginia, and this latest explosion at a natural gas production facility is an unfortunate reminder of that fact. Despite the fact that workers in heavy industry know the risks of their profession, the companies and regulatory agencies have a responsibility to make the facilities as safe as possible. When explosions and accidents occur, many times malfunctioning equipment or inadequate safety measures are the cause. If you or someone you know was injured in such an accident, you should contact a West Virginia industrial accident attorney to get educated about your rights in the aftermath of such incidents Not every case is legally actionable, but speaking with an attorney is the only way to find out if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Last week in Charleston, West Virginia a family was saved from almost certain death by their dog. According to a report from WTVM, the family's house caught on fire while the people inside were sleeping, and they were saved by the cries of the family dog. Upon waking up, the victims found that the attic of the house was already engulfed by the blaze, but thankfully all members of the family (including Fancy the dog) were able to escape the tragedy unharmed. Unfortunately, fire crews did not arrive in time to prevent the house from being completely consumed by the fire.

The family was extremely fortunate to survive such a harrowing ordeal, and we here at the Wolfe Law Firm are glad that no one was harmed in the fire, but the story is a cautionary tale for all homeowners. The victims of this fire had failed to install a smoke detector, and it wound up costing them their home and worldly possessions. Even if you have taken appropriate measures to guard against fire hazards, malfunctioning smoke detectors, faulty wiring, and a host of other misfortunes can befall any homeowner. When the worst-case scenario occurs and you or a loved one have been harmed, seeking the advice of a legal professional is always a good idea. A West Virginia fire injury lawyer can assess your situation and provide guidance to protect your interests and help get you compensated for your loss.

The Federal government's Department of Labor (DOL) has published a release stating that the number of "mining fatalities in the United States significantly increased in 2010, following a year marked by the fewest deaths in mining history." Of particular note in the report was the 29 deaths in Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine near Montcoal, West Virginia last April. The DOL stated that its Mine and Safety Health Administration had performed 200 impact inspections during last eight months of 2010 and promised to remain committed to enforcing the Mine Act and Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to ensure the safety of miners nationwide in 2011.

The Wolfe Law Firm would like to express our deepest condolences to all those affected in both the Upper Big Branch disaster and in mining accidents across the country. Mining is an extremely dangerous job, but it is an occupation of many citizens in our state, and the toll taken on the families that survive those fatally injured in accidents is massive. Nothing can ever make up for such a loss, but a West Virginia mining accident lawyer can help. An attorney can evaluate any workplace injury or wrongful death claim and provide advice regarding your legal rights to help guide you through this difficult time.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the AP report that an explosion occurred at an aluminum additive manufacturing plant in New Cumberland, West Virginia on December 9th. The blast claimed the lives of two brothers working at the facility and caused severe burns to one other employee and an outside contractor caught in the blast radius. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time but is currently being investigated by local law enforcement. Unfortunately, this is the third such blast at the plant in the last fifteen years that has resulted in a fatality.

The Wolfe Law Firm wishes to extend our condolences to those who survive the two men killed in the accident and hope for the speedy recovery of the two injured men as well. This story is a stark reminder of the dangers faced in the workplace and how severe the consequences of industrial accidents and explosions can be. If you or a loved one has been injured or has died in an explosion, you should contact a West Virginia personal injury and wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. A licensed advocate can evaluate the circumstances of the accident to determine the viability of your claim and provide guidance for how to proceed. Workplace injuries can become a financial burden, and the services of an attorney can help defray medical costs and deal with the inevitable insurance claims that follow in the wake of such accidents.

Last week, a residential fire broke out in a home occupied by two people in Piney View, West Virginia that resulted in the destruction of the house. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Department. The two residents of the home were initially trapped inside the burning house, but were rescued by Sheriff's Deputies and the fire department. According to the Charleston Gazette, they are now in critical condition in a local hospital.

We here at the Wolfe Law Firm are saddened by this news and hope for a speedy recovery of the two victims. This story, while unfortunate, is an important reminder of the hazards that can exist in the home. Now that winter is here and the temperature is dropping, many of us utilize propane or electric space heaters to fight the winter chill. While such devices are helpful in combating the cold, they pose a serious fire hazard if they contain faulty wiring or other defects. Homeowners and renters should also be mindful of potential fire hazards from improperly installed or defective furnaces and hot water heaters.

House fires are an uncommon occurrence, but they are far more likely to happen when the weather turns cold and people turn up the thermostat. The Wolfe Law Firm wishes everyone a safe and prosperous holiday season and reminds you to check your heating systems to ensure that they are working properly. If however, you or a loved one have been burned or worse in a fire-related incident, contact a West Virginia injury lawyer to be advised of your rights and get help today.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is a part of the federal government's U.S. Department of Labor. OSHA is responsible for monitoring and regulating safety rules for businesses and industries across the nation. Part of OSHA's jurisdiction is controlling and preventing fires and explosions. According to federal mandates, employers must adhere to the following fire safety rules:

1. Employers must have fire prevention plans as required by OSHA standards.

2. Fire prevention plans must be posted in writing in the workplace so that all employees can review them. For companies with fewer than 10 employees, fire prevention plans can be communicated verbally.

3. Fire prevention plans must include: a list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control and the fire equipment necessary to control each major hazard. They must also include a description of procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials, procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent accidental ignition of combustible materials, the name/job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires and the name/job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.

4. Employers must also inform employees upon initial assignment to a job of the fire hazards to which they are exposed.

If these rules are not followed, employees can be at a much higher risk for injury from fires and explosions on the job. If you have been injured in the workplace due to improper procedures, contact a lawyer to fight for your rights.

A tragic explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia this month continues to weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of many state residents. 29 miners lost their lives in the blast that occurred on April 5, 2010. The Massey Energy Company, which owns the mine, was cited for 515 violations of safety in 2009 and another 124 already in 2010 prior to the explosion. The mine has been fined more than $382,000 for these violations, many of which included safety issues with the ventilation plan and related equipment. The exact cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.

Preventing Gas Fires and Explosions
If you own a home or a business in West Virginia, you have a certain responsibility to protect those who you invite into your home or place of business. Gas fires and explosions are some of the most unpredictable and deadly types of incidents that can take place on your property. Taking care to prevent these types of events can save lives and limit your liability in the case of an accidental injury.
- Have gas lines, electrical outlets and appliances inspected yearly for leaks, cracks or worn-out hoses
- Call the appropriate utility company before you dig any hole on your property
- Never store, clean or discharge weapons around gas lines or open flames

Gas fires and explosions can happen in a number of places, including obvious work environments such as coal mines, aboard or around gasoline tanker trucks, pipelines and factories. However, they can also occur as the result of carelessness with gas fireplaces, gas stoves, camping equipment, defective products, welding equipment, gas BBQs, propane heaters and fumes from gas cans. If you've been injured in a fire or explosion, you have rights. Contact a West Virginia personal injury lawyer to help you today.

Fires and explosions are some of the scariest events that can happen to anyone. House fires, property fires and chemical explosions on work sites are some of the most common causes of personal injury, but product defects, improper discharge of weapons, gasoline leaks and coal mine explosions are also causes of these types of catastrophic injuries.

If you or someone you love has been injured or disfigured in a fire or explosion caused by the negligence of a person or business, you must contact a personal injury lawyer right away. Even if you're being offered a settlement for your injuries, it's important that you have a legal professional on your side who is concerned only with your fair treatment in the matter. Insurance companies will move quickly to settle with you, hoping to save money by offering you an immediate settlement before all of your injuries have been fairly evaluated.

Burn injuries can have long-lasting physical and psychological repercussions, all of which may not be evident for days, even weeks, after the incident. The physical effects of burns are traumatic enough on their own, but the psychological effects can often last long after the scars have healed. Some victims have recurring nightmares of the events and suffer from anxiety for a long time.

Who is Liable for My Injuries?
It depends. Negligent property owners or business owners who didn't install the correct fire alarms or safety equipment can be held liable for structure fires. Gas explosions may be the result of corporate negligence involving safety codes and standard industry procedures. Once you discuss your case with an attorney, you'll have a clear idea of how much you can recover for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.