Miner’s Family Reaches $550K Deal Over Agency’s Role in Death

The family of a coal miner killed at the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in 2010 will be paid $550,000 to resolve her claims that the Mine Safety and Health Administration bore responsibility for his death.

Carolyn Davis alleged in a lawsuit filed in April 2018 that her husband, Charles Davis, was killed in part because MSHA failed to recognize methane-related events at the mine during safety inspections or to adequately review ventilation plans submitted by the mine. She sought damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Davis and 28 other miners died when an explosion occurred April 5, 2010, ...