6th Circuit Agrees Dust Exposure Was Partial Cause of Coal Miner's COPD

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a finding that a coal miner’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was caused at least in part by coal dust exposure. James Clemons worked as a coal miner for 10 years. He also had a long history of cigarette smoking. Clemons was totally disabled because he suffered from, and died as a result of, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clemons filed a claim for black lung benefits in 2010. The Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs determined that Clemons was totally disabled, but that Clemons had failed to p...