Widow Proves Miner's Catastrophic Injuries Contributed to His Death Decades Later

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits to a coal miner’s widow for his death from a liver condition 23 years after he suffered catastrophic injuries at work. Case: Patriot Coal Corp. v. O’Neal, No. 24-ICA-318, 02/28/2025, published. Facts: Jason O’Neal worked for Patriot Coal Corp. He suffered severe injuries in a coal mine accident in June 2009. O’Neal died in October 2002 at the age of 41. His death certificate identifies nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as the cause of his death. No conditions were listed as leading to the caus...