3rd Circuit Upholds Black-Lung Awards to Miner, Widow

A federal appellate court ruled that a coal miner was entitled to compensation under the Black Lung Benefits Act, and that his widow was also entitled to survivor benefits.   Case: Consolidation Coal Co. v. Director of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, No. 17-2067, 07/12/2018, unpublished. Facts: John Funka worked underground in coal mines for over 40 years. Funka spent the first 20 years of his career as a maintenance supervisor and section mechanic for the Matthews Coal Co., which is now Consolidation Coal Co. Funka then became an electrical inspector for the Office...