Ill. Appellate Ct. Affirms Denial of Benefits to Former Coal Worker Who Alleged Silica Exposure

MT. VERNON, Ill. –– An Illinois appellate court has affirmed the denial of a workers’ compensation claim filed by a former coal worker who contended that he developed a lung injury as a result of exposure to silica rock dust.

In the Oct. 20 opinion, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District, Workers’ Compensation Commission Division, concluded that the claimant failed to carry his burden of proving that he suffered a disease which arose out of, and in the course of, his employment.

Gregory Dotson filed the underlying claim, contending that his work for 30 years in coal mines exposed him …