Federal Court Rejects Employer's Challenge to Black Lung Award

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals denied review of an employer’s challenge to an award of black lung benefits to a worker with complicated pneumoconiosis. Case: Potomac Coal Co. v. OWCP, No. 23-2207, 08/06/2025, unpublished. Facts: Richard Strawser worked as a coal miner for 33 years before retiring in 1996. He filed a claim for black lung benefits in 2019. Strawser died in December 2021 before a hearing could be held, so his widow pursued the claim on behalf of his estate. Procedural history: An administrative law judge found that Strawser was entitled to benefits payable by Pot...