Mark Hurt Law Firm Stands with Miners as Official Partner of the United Mine Workers of America

Firm echoes UMWA's stated concerns about mine safety enforcement and silica dust exposure.

ABINGDON, VA, UNITED STATES, September 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Mark Hurt Law Firm, an official partner of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), is voicing its support for coal miners and mining families throughout the region after the union issued a statement addressing mine safety oversight.

In a September 1, 2026 release, UMWA International President Brian Sanson said the union has concerns about the consistency of enforcement by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The union also referenced staffing levels at the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission and raised questions about silica dust standards and their connection to black lung disease.

"A mine that isn't safe for its workers isn't safe for the families waiting for them at home," said Mark Hurt, CEO and Managing Attorney of Mark Hurt Law Firm. "Through our partnership with the UMWA, we stay connected to the concerns miners raise about their health and safety on the job. Strong oversight and clear safety standards matter to the families we represent throughout this region."

A Firm Rooted in Coal Country

Mark Hurt has spent more than 30 years representing injured workers and coal miners throughout Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee, and West Virginia, communities where mining has long been part of the local economy and way of life. The firm's black lung and workers' compensation practice grew out of that same region, working alongside miners who have spent years underground and the families left to navigate the aftermath when something goes wrong.

"I've spent my career working alongside miners and their families as they navigate black lung diagnoses and workplace injuries," said Hurt. "Our partnership with the UMWA reflects something we already believe. Miners deserve strong safety standards, and families dealing with a black lung diagnosis or a workplace injury deserve to understand what help may be available to them."

Why This Matters for Coal Mining Families

When mine safety oversight is inconsistent, the effects are not limited to a single incident or a single worker. Enforcement levels, silica dust exposure, and workplace conditions can affect miners' health, their families' financial stability, and the wellbeing of mining communities more broadly.

Depending on the circumstances, coal miners and their families may have legal options involving:

Black Lung Benefits. Miners diagnosed with black lung disease, including silica-related lung disease, may be eligible for benefits under State and Federal programs.

Workers' compensation. Miners injured on the job, including in incidents connected to understaffing or unsafe production demands, may have a workers' compensation claim depending on the facts involved.

Wrongful death claims. Families who lose a loved one in a mining accident may have questions about what legal options may be available to them.

Every situation is different, and the options available depend on the facts of the case, including the miner's diagnosis or injury and the circumstances involved.

Supporting Miners and Their Families

Mark Hurt Law Firm encourages miners and their families to speak up about unsafe conditions and to reach out with questions about their legal rights. As a partner of the UMWA, the firm remains committed to supporting the mining communities it serves throughout Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia, both in and out of the courtroom.

About The Mark Hurt Law Firm
With offices throughout Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia, The Mark Hurt Law Firm brings more than 30 years of legal experience to clients facing personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, black lung claims, and wrongful death matters. The firm is committed to providing compassionate, results-driven representation and helping injured individuals and families move forward with confidence. For more information about the firm’s personal injury practice or to schedule a free consultation, visit: https://www.markhurtlawfirm.com.

Delaney Hibbits
Exults Digital Marketing Agency
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