UK Coal fined after deaths

Britain’s biggest mining firm has been ordered to pay £1.2 million in fines and costs after four miners died following safety breaches at two sites.

Trevor Steeples, Paul Hunt, Anthony Garrigan and Paul Milner died after incidents at UK Coal sites in 2006 and 2007.

The company admitted offences under health and safety law in relation to the miners’ deaths during a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.

In 2006 and 2007 Mr Steeples, Mr Hunt and Mr Garrigan died after accidents at Daw Mill colliery, near Coventry.

Mr Milner died after a 2007 incident at Welbeck Colliery, in Nottinghamshire, which has since closed. 

Mr Justice MacDuff said that as the company was experiencing financial difficulties he would not hand out a higher penalty.

UK Coal was fined £112,500 in relation to each incident and ordered to pay a further £187,500 in costs in each case.

IBB Solicitors has built a reputation for quality of service in pursuing compensation in cases involving accident, illness or death. If you would like advice on personal injury issues, you can contact a member of IBB’s Personal Injury team, call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk.