2 Miners With Black Lung Sue Alpha Metallurgical Resources

Two lawsuits by coal miners who have black lung disease have been filed in circuit court against the same company.

The lawsuits were filed in two counties against subsidiaries of Alpha Metallurgical Resources, the successor to Massey Energy. 

The miners, Joshua Cochran, 45, and Shawn Turley, 53, worked in Massey and Alpha mines for more than two decades. Both have developed complicated black lung. 

Cochran qualifies for a double lung transplant, according to an amended complaint filed last month in Boone County Circuit Court.

Both allege that Alpha violated federal mine safety laws by failing to control coal and rock dust in its underground mines.

Inhaling coal and rock dust has been found to hasten the onset of severe black lung cases in younger miners. Its progression can be slowed, but it cannot be cured.

Turley seeks compensatory and punitive damages, according to a complaint filed last month in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

A spokeswoman for Alpha did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuits.

Under Massey, 29 miners were killed at the Upper Big Branch explosion in Raleigh County in 2010. 

Poorly controlled ventilation, leading to a buildup of dust and methane, was found to be a major factor in the disaster.

An analysis of lung tissue of most of the Upper Big Branch miners showed signs of black lung disease, even among the youngest.

Former Massey CEO Don Blankenship was convicted of conspiracy to violate federal mine safety and health law in 2015. He was sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to pay a $250,000 fine.