Widow Fails to Link Worker's Death, Dementia to Occupational Hearing Loss

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that a worker’s widow failed to link his dementia and death to his occupational hearing loss. Case: Clark v. U.S. Steel Mining Co. Inc., No. 24-ICA-429, 04/29/2025, published. Facts: Clifton Clark Sr. worked for U.S. Steel Mining Co. Inc. He established two occupational hearing loss claims against U.S. Steel and received a total of 3.66% permanent partial disability awards. Clark saw audiologists Cheryl Rhodes and William Larsen between July 2020 and March 2023. Both said he reported a decrease in hearing acuity over time, and ...