The widows of two men killed in a mine accident in Kentucky last year are suing the mine’s operator. The Dotiki mine had received hundreds of citations for safety violations before the 2010 roof collapse. The women say production took priority over safety at the mine.

From Bloomberg:

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Kentucky by Sandy Travis of Dixon and Melissa Carter of Hanson, whose husbands died in the April 28, 2010, collapse. They also filed claims with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration seeking $9 million each for personal injury and wrongful death.

Travis is seeking up to $5 million in punitive damages in the lawsuit, while Carter, who is also suing on behalf of the couple’s minor son, is asking for up to $10 million in punitive damages. Both are also asking for an undisclosed amount in compensatory awards.