Construction Accidents: Widow Files Wrongful-Death Lawsuit

The widow of a Kentucky man who bled to death after his legs were cut off in an underground coal mining accident has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit. David "Bud" Morris Jr., 29, died on December 30, 2005 when an overloaded coal hauler severed his legs below the knees. The accident occurred at H&D Mining's No. 3 mine at Cumberland. Federal investigators say that the driver of the hauler did not see Morris because the large pile of coal blocked his view. Morris had left his vehicle in order to use the mine phone.

Widow's suit claims drugs 'rampant'

The lawsuit, filed by Stella Morris, says that the mine was unsafe because H&D Mining supposedly employs many miners who have drug problems. A room at the mine in which miners changed clothes was also known as "the crack house" because so many miners used illegal drugs there before and after work. The lawsuit also alleges that even though mine owners knew that H&D had a "rampant" drug problem, they did nothing to stop it. "Bud told his wife stories about men snorting pills and drug use inside and outside the mine," said Tony Oppegard, one of Stella Morris' lawyers. The lawsuit says that negligence by mine owners and others resulted in Morris' death. Both Morris and the driver who ran over him tested positive for drugs after the incident. Oppegard responded to this, saying that "Yes, he (Morris) tested positive. Bud had been in a treatment center. He was trying to deal with his drug problem, even at the time of the accident. But what was hard, he told his wife, was working at a mine where miners were taking drugs right in front of him."