The owner of the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah where six miners were killed last year in a cave-in is disputing a workers’ comp claim by the family of one of the victims.
The parents of Juan Carlos Payan want full benefits of $2,400 a month for six years — a total of $172,800. That’s five times the amount offered by the mine’s owner, Genwal Resources, Inc., and Rockwood Casualty Insurance Co.
Payan’s family says the miner was supporting his disabled father, mother and two young sisters in Mexico.
The companies have argued that Payan had two siblings who were also working in Utah and helping support the family.
A judge is expected to rule later this fall.
An attorney for the mining and insurance companies says Payan was only responsible for about a third of the money sent to the family in Mexico over several years, with the rest sent by his brother and sister.
The family’s attorney argued no records or witnesses can deny the family’s contention that Payan alone was supporting his parents and young sisters.
