Supreme Court Upholds 10% PPD Award for Miner's Occupational Pneumoconiosis

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld a determination that a coal miner was entitled to a 10% permanent partial disability award for occupational pneumoconiosis. Case: Harvey v. Hobet Mining, No. 25-181, 09/10/2025, published. Facts: James Harvey worked in underground coal mines for approximately 15 years. In February 2014, he was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and filed a claim for occupational pneumoconiosis. The Occupational Pneumoconiosis Board in June 2014 said it would not make a diagnosis of occupational pneumoconiosis. In May 2017, Harvey underwent computed ...