Supreme Court Finds Occupational Pneumoconiosis Not Linked to Worker's Death

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the denial of a widow’s claim for death benefits, finding that her husband did not die as a result of occupational pneumoconiosis. Case: Smith v. Pine Ridge Coal Co., No 23-617, 10/30/2024, published. Facts: Walter Smith died in March 2019. His death certificate listed the primary cause of death as cardiac arrest secondary to respiratory failure, acute. The underlying causes were bilateral pleural effusions, congestive heart failure and end-stage renal disease. Procedural history: Smith’s widow filed a claim for death benefits, as...