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Coal Dust Mask Lawsuit

Coal Dust Mask Lawsuit

3M is facing lawsuits from coal miners who developed black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) after using dust masks that failed to prevent them from breathing in toxic coal dust.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting coal dust mask induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know is a coal miner who has been diagnosed with black lung disease, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

$67.5 Million Awarded to Miners in Coal Dust Mask Black Lung Lawsuit

In April 2018, a jury in Kentucky awarded $67.5 million to 2 coal miners who claimed that defective 3M dust masks led to their diagnosis of black lung disease.

What is the Problem?

Coal miners wear dust masks or respirators to avoid breathing the dust that is created during mining. Breathing coal dust causes black lung, an incurable and often fatal lung disease that cuts off breathing. Black lung disease has killed about 78,000 people since the 1970s.

Coal Dust Mask Lawsuits

Lawsuits claim that 3M dust masks used by coal miners may not effectively protect them from breathing coal dust. One jury in Kentucky found that 3M should not have advertised the masks for use in coal mining because they were “defective and unreasonably dangerous.”

Kentucky Man Awarded $8 Million in Black Lung Lawsuit

In February 2016, a man from Kentucky named James Couch was awarded $8 million by a jury who agreed that his black lung disease was likely caused by using a defective dust mask manufactured by Mine Safety Appliances.

Who Sold The Products?

3M dust masks, or “safety respirators,” 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 a job-related illness that mainly affects coal miners who breathe coal dust over many years. It is also known as Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis. The most severe form of black lung is called Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF).

Symptoms of Black Lung

The symptoms of black lung often take many years or decades before they appear. Most cases are not diagnosed until a person is at least 50 years old. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

  • Cough
  • Coughing up black phlegm or sputum
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness
  • Pain when breathing
  • Increased mucous
  • Unable to breathe while lying flat on the back
  • Decreased ability to exercise or work
  • X-rays show spots on the lungs

Black Lung Disease Complications

Lung damage from this disease may lead to complications such as Caplan’s syndrome, chronic bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lung cancer, respiratory failure, or death.

Do I have a Coal Dust Mask Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting coal dust mask induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know is a coal miner who has been diagnosed with black lung disease, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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