Study Finds Bias Among Docs in Black Lung Claims

Doctors hired by coal companies to review chest X-rays of coal miners were significantly more likely to find the worker did not have black lung, according to researchers at the University of Illinois, Chicago, who hinted that their findings could have broader implications of bias throughout work comp systems. Researchers Lee Friedman and Robert Cohen analyzed 63,780 radiograph classifications made by 264 so-called “B-readers.” These providers are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to interpret lung X-rays when coal miners file workers’ com...