Black Lung Benefits Act of 1973

The Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) is a U.S. federal law which provides monthly payments and medical benefits to coal miners totally disabled from pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) arising from employment in or around the nation's coal mines. The law also provides monthly benefits to a miner's dependent survivors if pneumoconiosis caused or hastened the miner's death.

History

In 1952, Alabama became the first state to provide compensation for coal workers' pneumoconiosis.[1]

In 1969, the United Mine Workers convinced the United States Congress to enact the landmark Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act which provided compensation for miners suffering from Black Lung Disease. Arnold Miller (1923–1985) a miner and long time labor activist played a big role in the struggle for this legislation.

Adjudication and processing

Claims may be submitted to any of nine district offices of the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation of the Department of Labor. The employment and medical history of the claimant are examined, including a complete pulmonary evaluation paid for by the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.[2] There may be a rebuttable presumption that pneumoconiosis resulted from such employment for miners long-term employed at one or more coal mines.[3] Right of rebuttal is offered to the relevant coal mine operator, and final determination is made by the director of the examining district office.[2]

The fairness of these administrative proceedings, however, has recently been called into question in light of an increasing lack of resources for miners to contest claims accompanied by a resurgence in black lung disease.[4]

Benefits and medical services

Present and former coal miners, other workers who have been exposed to coal dust, and their surviving dependents may apply for medical and monthly financial benefits under the Act. The program provides for diagnostic testing to verify the presence of black lung disease and degree of associated disability. Benefits may include a monthly stipend, as well as such medical services as prescription drug coverage, hospitalization coverage, durable medical equipment, and outpatient therapy.

Note: Benefits do not include Residence costs (room and board) for nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities.[5] Miners who become disabled to the point of needing the services of a nursing home or skilled nursing facilities will have to resort to their own insurance or private funds to pay for these services.

Payments are made by the operator of the mine most recently employing an affected worker or from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.[2] Payments and benefits are not considered taxable income.[6]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Black Lung - United Mine Workers of America
  2. 1 2 3 Compliance Guide to the Black Lung Benefits Act, January 2001, Department of Labor
  3. ↑ Regulations and presumptions
  4. ↑ Achieving Procedural Fairness in Black Lung Benefits Hearings; Breathless and Burdened
  5. ↑ Black Lung Medical Benefits: Questions and Answers about the Federal Black Lung Program;U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs; page 4
  6. ↑ Federal Black Lung Benefits Are Not Taxable

External links

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