Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Award for Occupational Pneumoconiosis

The West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a worker is not entitled to an award for his occupational pneumoconiosis based on a finding that he had no pulmonary function impairment. Case: Reed v. United Coal Co., No. 19-0227, 07/09/2020, published. Facts: Danny Reed worked for the United Coal Co. In January 2016, he filed an application for occupational pneumoconiosis benefits. Reed indicated that he was last exposed to hazardous dust in September 2014 when he stopped working due to a job-related back injury. The claims adjuster accepted liability for pneumoconiosis. Reed was examined ...