Coal Miner Entitled to Presumption of Total Disability, Gets Black Lung Award

A federal appellate court ruled that a coal miner was entitled to a presumption that he was totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis, and it upheld an award of black lung benefits to him. Case: Sunnyside Coal Co. v. OWCP, No. 23-9517, 08/13/2024, published. Facts: Ronald Fossat worked as a coal miner for 24 years, spending 10 years below ground and 14 years above ground. Fossat spent his entire career at the same coal mine in Utah, although the mine was owned by four different companies during this time. Sunnyside Coal Co. owned the mine when it shut down in 1994. He took a series of part-tim...