3M is facing a growing number of lawsuits from coal miners who were diagnosed with black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) after using safety masks or respirators that did not protect them from breathing in coal dust.
Need a Texas Coal Dust Mask Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one is a coal miner who was diagnosed with black lung disease, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Jury Awards $67.5 Million To Coal Miners in 3M Dust Mask Black Lung Lawsuit
In April 2018, two coal miners from Kentucky were awarded $67.5 million after a jury agreed that their use of defective dust masks led to their diagnosis of black lung disease.
What is the Problem?
Breathing coal dust over many years can cause black lung disease, also known as Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP). To prevent this, miners must use dust masks or respirators while they are mining. If the mask does not work, they can suffer an incurable health problems.
Dust Mask Lawsuits
3M is accused of advertising dust masks for use in mining when the company knew — or should have known — that the masks would not effectively prevent a miner from breathing in toxic coal dust.
$8 Million Awarded in Coal Dust Mask Lawsuit
In February 2016, a jury awarded $8 million to a Kentucky man named James Couch who developed black lung disease after using a dust mask made by Mine Safety Appliances.
Who Sold The Products?
3M dust masks may have been sold by mining companies, such as:
- Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
- Eastern States Mine supply
- Fairmont Supply Company
- Persinger Supply Company
- Raleigh Mine and Industrial Supply
- Mine Safety Appliances
- American Optical Corp.
- Kentucky Mine Supply Company
- Others
What is Black Lung Disease?
Black lung disease is an illness that cuts off breathing and often causes death. It mainly occurs in coal miners over the age of 50 years old who breathed coal dust during their employment for many years. Black lung disease is incurable and often fatal. About 78,000 people have died of this disease since the 1970s
Symptoms of Black Lung
- Persistent cough
- Black phlegm
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Pain when breathing
- Increased mucous
- Unable to breathe while lying flat
- Limited ability to exercise or work
Black Lung Disease Complications
Black lung disease causes irreversible lung damage. The devastating complications of black lung can include Caplan’s syndrome, chronic bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lung cancer, respiratory failure, or death.
Need a Coal Dust Mask Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
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