Court Upholds PPD Award to Long-Time Coal Miner for Lung Conditions

The Illinois Appellate Court upheld an award of permanent partial disability benefits to a long-time coal miner for his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis. Case: American Coal Co. v. IWCC (Deere), No. 5-19-0522WC, filed 1019/2020, published 11/16/2020. Facts: Robert Deere worked in the coal mining industry for over 40 years. He worked below ground for all but the first two years of his employment. During the course of his employment, Deere allegedly was exposed to silica dust, roof bolting glue fumes, diesel fumes and a specialized type of glue used to put tiles on the wal...