Split Court Says Self-Insured Parent Not Liable for Black Lung Benefits

A divided federal appellate court ruled that the self-insured parent of a coal mine operator was not liable for black lung benefits on a claim filed years after the mine changed hands and the new owner went bankrupt. Case: Hobet Mining Inc. v. OWCP, No. 23-2157, 10/01/2025, published. Facts: Horace Meredith worked as a coal miner for 30 years before he quit in 1995 for health reasons. His last employer was Hobet Mining Inc. During the five years Meredith worked for Hobet, Arch Coal Co. was Hobet’s parent company. Arch covered its own liabilities under the Black Lung Be...