DOL Revises Claims Process for Coal Miners With Black Lung

Coal miners will have greater access to their health records when filing claims for black lung benefits under a final rule the Labor Department issued April 25.

The rule is intended to strengthen employee protections by revising regulations that implement the Black Lung Benefits Act. The regulation will take effect 30 days after the DOL’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs publishes it in the Federal Register April 26.

Black lung, or pneumoconiosis, is a chronic lung illness caused by inhaling coal dust. The Black Lung Benefits Act provides money and medical benefits to coal miners disabled by pneumoconiosis and pays ...