Numerical tests using the seismic analysis method are conducted to investigate the occurrence of coal bursts due to pillar failure, which is represented by a shear fracture in the pillar’s elastic core area. The assumption is that the fracture development process is the key factor affecting the occurrence of coal bursts and coal burst damages. Three fracturing patterns are offered to simulate different development processes of the same fracture with the given original and final mechanical properties and the given fracturing time. A series of slip movements occur between two sides of the fracture during the fracture development process and cause seismic events. The seismic source parameters, including peak velocity and duration of slip velocity pulses, moment factor and moment intensity factor, are employed to characterize the seismic events. Data are obtained to investigate the relation between seismic source parameters and the occurrence of coal bursts or the coal burst damages. The results show the fracture development process has a great influence on the coal burst damages; the moment intensity factor is a qualified seismic source characteristic parameter for determining the occurrence of coal bursts, and can distinguish not only between burst cases and non-burst cases, but also between slight burst cases and moderate burst cases; moment factor is not a qualified seismic source characteristic parameter for determining the occurrence of coal bursts, though seismic moment is generally regarded as the strength of seismic events.