Kentucky is home to a variety of industries but none more well-known than the coal industry. In todays political climate just the word coal is enough to draw up stark arguments on it’s efficacy or place in todays society but what can’t be argued is it’s impact on Kentucky’s local economy.
Regardless of your stance on coal one thing is for certain: without the proper protective measures taken, it’s extraction and processing can be extremely dangerous of the individual worker (like many manufacturing industries). Nutt Law Office exist to help the people of Kentucky, because of this we want to highlight one common problem that arrises in many coal workers and what measures there are to protect them:
Coalworker’s pneumoconiosis
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as black lung disease or black lung, is caused by long-term exposure to coal dust. It is common in coal miners and others who work with coal. It is similar to both silicosis from inhaling silica dust and to the long-term effects of tobacco smoking. Inhaled coal dust progressively builds up in the lungs and cannot be removed by the body; this leads to inflammation, fibrosis, and in worse cases, necrosis.
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, severe state, develops after the initial, milder form of the disease known as anthracosis (anthrac — coal, carbon). This is often asymptomatic and is found to at least some extent in all urban dwellers due to air pollution. Prolonged exposure to large amounts of coal dust can result in more serious forms of the disease, simple coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and complicated coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (or progressive massive fibrosis, or PMF). More commonly, workers exposed to coal dust develop industrial bronchitis, clinically defined as chronic bronchitis (i.e. productive cough for 3 months per year for at least 2 years) associated with workplace dust exposure. The incidence of industrial bronchitis varies with age, job, exposure, and smoking. In nonsmokers (who are less prone to develop bronchitis than smokers), studies of coal miners have shown a 16% to 17% incidence of industrial bronchitis.
In 2013 CWP resulted in 25,000 deaths down from 29,000 deaths in 1990.
Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation (DCMWC)
About the Black Lung Program
The Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation, or Federal Black Lung Program, administers claims filed under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The Act provides compensation to coal miners who are totally disabled by pneumoconiosis arising out of coal mine employment, and to survivors of coal miners whose deaths are attributable to the disease. The Act also provides eligible miners with medical coverage for the treatment of lung diseases related to pneumoconiosis. – https://www.dol.gov/owcp/dcmwc/
Louisville Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
ADVOCATING FOR YOU AFTER YOUR WORKPLACE INJURY.
Injuries or illnesses that stem from your job can be the most frustrating and difficult to deal with. When it comes to work-related injuries, there are a number of different factors that can contribute, including repetitive motions, exposure to toxic chemicals, faulty equipment and much more. Many times, these injuries make it difficult to continue working and can bury you in medical bills and other related expenses.
At Nutt Law Office, we have years of experience handling cases related to workers’ compensation throughout Louisville, Kentucky, and surrounding areas. Our team of skilled personal injury attorneys can efficiently meet your needs by helping you:
•Get the medical treatment you need.
•Get your late or denied benefit checks.
•Untangle the confusion created by insurance companies.
Whether you were injured in a work-related accident or are suffering from a chronic injury or illness, our well-versed Louisville attorneys will help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries.
Contact Nutt Law Office today to schedule your free initial consultation!