Employer Not Bound by Stipulation as Responsible Operator for Black Lung Claim

A federal appellate court ruled that an employer was not bound by a stipulation it made to be the responsible operator for a claim for black lung benefits in a subsequent claim by the same worker. Case: Ken Lick Coal Co. v. OWCP, No. 23-3738, 02/21/2025, published. Facts and procedural history: Bob Reed worked in coal mines from 1973 until 1991. He filed a claim for black lung benefits in 1986. His most recent employer at the time was Ken Lick Coal Co. A district director for the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs denied the claim, and Reed did not appeal. Reed filed a second ...