An underground mining accident occurred in Franklin County, Illinois on Tuesday tragically claiming the life of a man. According to officials in Franklin County, 20-year-old Tyler D. Rath was pronounced dead at around 11:30 p.m. after being brought to the surface. The mine is located near Marion and is owned by Foresight Energy which is based in St. Louis. An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday, and the report has not yet been completed. The Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration are investigating the accident, and production has ceased until it is completed.
Most workers do not leave for their job expecting it to be the last day of their lives, but tragically, many individuals are killed in workplace accidents. In fact, there were 4,679 fatal workplace accidents in 2014, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Workplace accidents that result in death can be caused from the negligence or misconduct of another party. In that situation, the family of the victim may have grounds to file a wrongful death case. In the event of losing a loved one, most families are not concerned about obtaining compensation for their damages. However, if you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence, you should seek the justice you deserve by consulting a wrongful death attorney.
Meyerkord & Kurth is comprised of compassionate yet aggressive attorneys. Our personal injury attorneys have handled thousands of accident cases. We will fight to hold any party accountable while supporting you with compassion throughout the case. We will also investigate the accident fully to determine if there may be a third party case as well. Contact our office today to receive the legal guidance of a skilled wrongful death attorney.