Court Upholds 33% PPD Award for Coal Miner

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld an award of 33% permanent partial disability benefits to an injured coal miner. Case: Murray American Energy Inc. v. Yost, No. 25-ICA-1, 06/27/2025, published. Facts and procedural history: Richard Yost worked for Murray American Energy Inc. as a coal miner. He went to the hospital in October 209 and reported multiple injuries that occurred the day before when he was operating a man-trip that was struck by a tractor bolt machine. The assessment was lumbar strain with right sciatica, concussion versus tension headache from whiplash, a...