Supreme Court Upholds Widow's Award for Worker's Fatal Brain Infection

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld an award of benefits to a widow whose husband succumbed to a fungal brain infection. Case: Blackhawk Mining LLC v. Banks, No. 25-273, 09/10/2025, published. Facts: Timothy Banks Jr. worked for Blackhawk Mining LLC as a surface mine blaster. Starting in May 2022, Banks suffered a progressive memory decline, brain fog and seizure activity. Imaging studies revealed a left parietal brain mass, and Banks underwent a craniotomy for resection of the mass on June 3, 2022. Following a biopsy of the mass, Banks was diagnosed with mucormycosis, a fungal inf...