                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 WORKERS&#8217; COMPENSATION; LIABILITY (§ 45.2-554)

A. For the purpose of workers&#8217; compensation coverage, during any mine
disaster to which a state-designated mine rescue team responds under the
provisions of this article or during any training exercise for a
state-designated mine rescue team, members of the state-designated team shall be
deemed to be within the employment of the operator of the mine at which the
disaster occurred or the training exercise is conducted. Additionally, for
purposes of workers&#8217; compensation coverage, travel by members of a
state-designated mine rescue team to and from the mine disaster or training
exercise shall be deemed to be within the employment of the operator of the mine
at which the disaster occurred or the training exercise is conducted.

B. No member of a state-designated mine rescue team engaging in rescue work at a
mine shall be liable for civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from the
rendering of such rescue work unless the act or omission was the result of gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

C. No operator providing personnel to a state-designated mine rescue team to
engage in rescue work at a mine not owned or operated by the operator shall be
liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from the rendering
of such rescue work.

HISTORY: 1985, c. 496, § 45.1-33.5:4; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.76; 2007, cc.
894, 914; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.