$1M wrongful-death lawsuit filed against East Fairfield Coal Co.

YOUNGSTOWN — The administratrix of the estate of a drill operator killed in an accidental ceiling collapse in an underground Petersburg limestone mine a year ago has sued the mine owner for more than $1 million.

The estate administratrix, Karen A. Harris, filed the civil suit today on behalf of the estate of Jason E. Gudat, 31, of Washingtonville, in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court against the North Lima-based East Fairfield Coal Co.

The coal company owns the Subtropolis Mine, where Gudat was killed by a slab of falling rock April 25, 2011.

The lawsuit demands a jury trial and is assigned to Judge James C. Evans. It seeks more than $25,000 in compensatory damages and more than $1 million in punitive damages.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com