Supreme Court Upholds PPD Award for Worker's Back Injury

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld an award of benefits based on a 21% permanent partial disability for a worker’s back injury. Case: Blackhawk Mining Inc. v. Caldwell, No. 24-497, 04/22/2025, published. Facts: Archie Caldwell worked for Blackhawk Mining Inc. He injured his back at work in August 2020. Before this incident, Caldwell had twice injured his back as a result of on-the-job falls, but he received no permanent partial disability awards as a result of these accidents. In April 2019, Caldwell underwent an X-ray of his lumbar spine, revealing very mild anterolisthesis of L...