Successful defense of Federal Black Lung benefits claims

The claimant had established that he had worked in the coal mining industry and was exposed to coal dust for a period over 17 years. ​Medical evidence also established that the miner did indeed have coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (Black Lung). However, the judge found that the miner was not totally disabled due to his pneumoconiosis. Therefore, he was not entitled to benefits, and the claim was denied. In another Federal Black Lung benefits claim, we presented testimony to prove, through pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas testing and medical opinion evidence, that a coal miner who had begun work in the coal mines at the age of twelve did not suffer from a totally disabling respiratory impairment that precluded him from engaging in his usual coal mine employment.