Federal Court Upholds Award of Black Lung Benefits to Miner's Widow

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an award of Black Lung Benefits Act compensation to a miner’s widow, finding substantial evidence established the man's total disability from a respiratory or pulmonary impairment. Jennings Maynard worked in coal mines for 43 years. His last coal mine employment was in Kentucky. He filed a claim for compensation under the Black Lung Benefits Act in November 2019 and received an award in November 2020. Island Creek Coal Co. contested the award and requested a formal hearing before an administrative law judge. Maynard testified at the ...