Kentucky Coal Preparation Building Collapse Kills Two Workers; Options for Mississippi Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones in Workplace Accidents

The recent collapse of a coal preparation building last week that killed two workers serves as a reminder of how dangerous workplace accidents can be and the options that the families of workers across the country, and in Mississippi, have when it comes to losing a loved one to a horrific workplace accident. According to national news reports, On October 31, the Martin Mine Prep Plant, located in Martin County, Kentucky, collapsed, trapping two workers under “multiple floors of concrete and steel.” The workers, who have been identified as Billy Ray Daniels and Alvin Nees, were working inside the coal preparation plant when the collapse occurred. Daniels is said to have sadly passed away on Wednesday, November 1, while extensive rescue efforts to locate and retrieve Nees continued throughout the week of the collapse. Unfortunately, Nees also ultimately passed away before rescuers could reach him. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated in social media in regards to the tragic and fatal workplace accident, “I am sad to report that the second worker trapped inside the collapsed coal preparation plant in Martin County has died…This is a heartbreaking situation, and I hope that everyone will join Britainy and me in praying for the families of these two workers and this entire community.”

By Friday, news that the two workers’ bodies had finally been located was released when Martin County Judge Executive Director Lon Lafferty confirmed that fact to the press. Lafferty further stated, “This is not the outcome that we had hoped for…we knew going in that this was a very grim and very difficult situation.” At that time, Nees’ body had been recovered, but Daniel’s body had not been recovered yet. The events that caused the terrible building collapse are still under investigation as Martin County mourns the loss of Daniels and Nees.

Options for the Families of Workers Killed in Tragic Workplace Accidents

When a worker is killed in a terrible and unexpected workplace accident, often they leave behind family members who not only must grieve the worst loss imaginable, but also who may have been financially dependent on the worker. Accordingly, while nothing can ever replace the loss of a loved one, in most states, like Mississippi, state workers’ compensation laws entitle certain surviving dependent family members of an injured worker to workers’ compensation benefits. Those benefits may include wage replacement compensation, funeral expenses, and other important financial support. In order to determine whether you may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits in Mississippi, it is best to speak with an experienced Mississippi worker’s compensation death benefits lawyer as soon as possible after a fatal workplace accident has occurred.

If you are seeking help with your workers’ compensation case or workers’ compensation death benefits case in Mississippi, contact the experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe. The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help fight for you to get benefits due. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe and speak to a lawyer about your case today for free.

Source:

edition.cnn.com/2023/11/03/us/kentucky-building-collapse-death/index.html