Court Says Miner Proved Work, Not Smoking, Caused COPD

A federal court found that a former coal miner with a lengthy history of smoking provided sufficient evidence for a trial judge to conclude that his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was attributable at least in part to his work. Glen Lawson smoked from the time he was 16 until he turned 55. He also spent 12 years working as a coal miner. In 2017, he filed a claim for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act. A claims examiner approved the application in 2018 and found that Lawson’s former employer, Extra Energy, was liable for paying his benefits. At the employer’s reques...