Coal Firm Liable for Earlier Mine Dust Exposure

The West Virginia Supreme Court has ruled that a former coal miner was entitled to benefits related to occupational pneumoconiosis from previous mining jobs.
The state’s Board of Review and the Workers’ Compensation Office of Judges found that William Dempsey satisfied the statutory exposure requirements for filing an occupational pneumoconiosis claim against Mission Coal and that even though Dempsey had additional exposure with another company after his employment at Mission ended, he is not precluded from filing a claim against Mission Coal.
Dempsey left his job with Mission Coal in May 2018 and was exposed to an additional amount of dust for 157 days while working for another coal mine operator.
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Arthur J Gallagher said on Monday it would acquire insurance broker AssuredPartners in an all-cash deal worth $13.45 billion that will expand its focus on the property and casualty business.
AssuredPartners distributes insurance across property and casualty, commercial, employee benefits and personal lines. It generated $2.9 billion in adjusted revenue for the 12 months ended Sept. 30.
Among AssuredPartners’s workplace safety and injury service offerings is its Risk Management Center, according to the company’s website.
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A light strength level, meaning workers may lift or carry up to 25 pounds, was required for 33.3% of workers in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Among occupational groups, 60.9% of workers in food preparation and serving related occupations, 50.0% of workers in personal care and service occupations, and 47.7% of workers in sales and related occupations were required to have a light strength level.
Reaching overhead was required occasionally for 66.8% of workers in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations and 49.6% of construction and extraction occupations.
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