Federal Appellate Court Denies Employer's Challenge to Black Lung Award

A federal appellate court denied an employer’s petition for review of black lung benefits awarded to a longtime coal miner. Case: Consol of PA Coal Co. LLC v. OWCP, No. 23-2105, 10/28/2025, unpublished. Facts and procedural history: William J. Seckman worked for various coal mine operators, including Consol of PA Coal Co. LLC. He filed a claim for compensation under the Black Lung Benefits Act. An administrative law judge found that Seckman was entitled to a rebuttable presumption that he is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis, since he had spent more than 15 years working in...