Worst form of black lung is roaring back

[greatlaurel]

2. Here is a link to a document that describes the program and the history behind the legislation.

http://appalachiancitizenslaw.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/overview-of-federal-black-lung-benefits-program.pdf


The Federal Black Lung Benefits
Act

In 1969, as part of a federal mine safety law in response to the
Farmington mine disaster, the federal black lung benefits program
was created. In creating this law the Congress recognized that there
were a significant number of coal miners who were totally disabled
due to pneumoconiosis and that there were survivors of coal miners
whose deaths were due to this disease.

The stated purpose of this law is “to provide benefits to coal miners
who are totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis and to the surviving
dependents of miners whose death was due to such disease; and to
ensure that in the future adequate benefits are provided to coal
miners and their dependents in the event of their death or total
disability due to pneumoconiosis.”

The Act is located at 30 U.S.C. Section 901. The regulations are
located at 20 CFR Sections 718 and 725.