No Benefits for Widow of Worker With Occupational Pneumoconiosis

A divided West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a worker’s widow was not entitled to dependents benefits, since she failed to prove that the worker’s occupational pneumoconiosis was a material, contributing factor in his death. Case: Wyco v. West Virginia Office of Insurance Commissioner, No. 17-0974, 05/07/2018, published. Facts: Stanley Wyco worked for the Green Construction Co. as a driller and blaster. In June 1989, Dr. Donald Rasmussen noted that Wyco had a moderately severe obstructive ventilator impairment. The following month, the doctor noted that Wyco had a long histo...