Worker Fails to Link Need for Name-Brand Medication to Occupational Pneumoconiosis

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a doctor’s request for a worker to receive an oral medication prescribed for lung diseases. Case: Dorsey v. Blackhawk Mining LLC, No. 24-ICA-422 , 06/06/2025, published. Facts and procedural history: Joseph Dorsey worked for Blackhawk Mining LLC. In May 2024, a claims administrator for Blackhawk’s insurance carrier denied a request from Dr. Ryan Waddell for OFEV. OFEV is a brand-name oral medication used to treat lung diseases. The administrator did not provide any reasoning, basis or rationale for th...