6th Circuit Revives Widow's Claim Under Black Lung Benefits Act

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals revived a widow’s claim for survivor’s benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act, explaining that further factual findings were necessary to determine how many years the claimant’s husband had spent in underground coal mine employment. Case: Shepherd v. Incoal Inc., No. 17-4313, 02/06/2019, published. Facts and procedural history: Tramble Shepherd worked for various coal companies in Kentucky from 1963 until 1985. In 1987, Shepherd filed a Black Lung Benefits Act claim. He indicated that he was having trouble breathing, and that was o...