Coal Miner Gets Increased Award Despite Improved Condition After Lung Transplant

The West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a former coal miner was entitled to an increased impairment award for the worsening of his occupational pneumoconiosis, even though he had undergone a lung transplant that improved his functioning while the claim was pending. Case: Rockspring Development Inc. v. Brown, No. 22-0135, 06/11/2024, published. Facts and procedural history: Randy Brown was a coal miner for more than 38 years. After he developed occupational pneumoconiosis, he applied for workers’ compensation benefits. A claims administrator for the employer’s i...