Families in Mingo Co. Sue Over Flooding

According to the Associated Press, in September, 20 families along Pigeon Creek in Mingo County filed lawsuits against mining companies over property damage.

The families contend mining operations, including construction of part of the King Coal Highway, worsened damage to their properties from a flood this spring. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Alpha Natural Resources Inc. of Abingdon, Va., and three subsidiaries.

Alpha spokesman Ted Pile told the Associated Press, "It was a natural disaster caused by exceedingly high rainfalls and ground saturation. It was an act of God, not an act of man."

The suits charge that the companies have committed negligence, trespass and property damage. The cases seek punitive damages as well as a halt to mining operations.

The potential number of plaintiffs in the cases could cause a backup in the court system if the case were tried at the circuit level, the lawyer handling the cases said, so he has requested the cases be referred to the Mass Litigation Panel, which is a group of judges who are assigned to handle cases that could overwhelm a circuit court.