Federal Court Upholds Miner's Award of Black Lung Benefits

A federal appellate court upheld a worker’s award under the Black Lung Benefits Act. Case: Island Creek Kentucky Mining v. OWCP, No. 25-3200, 02/04/2026, unpublished. Facts: Eddie Stewart worked in underground coal mines for just fewer than 15 years. He was last employed by Island Creek Coal Co. Procedural history: Stewart filed four compensation claims under the Black Lung Benefits Act between 1996 and 2011. Each claim was denied, either because Stewart was found not to have pneumoconiosis or that he had the disease but was not totally disabled by it. Stewart filed a...