Sec. 15. (a) A person whose person or property is injured through the violation by an operator of a rule, an order, or a permit issued under:
(1) IC 13-4.1 (before its repeal); or
(2) this article;
may bring an action for damages, including reasonable attorney's and expert witness fees. The action must be brought in the circuit or superior court with jurisdiction in the county in which the surface coal mining operation complained of is located.
(b) This section does not affect the rights established by or limits imposed under IC 22-3-1 and IC 22-3-2.