Ill. Court Affirms Partial Award of Benefits to Coal Miner for COPD, Chronic Bronchitis

MT. VERNON, Ill. –– A partial award of benefits to a former coal miner for lung injuries he allegedly sustained during the course of his employment has been affirmed by an Illinois appellate court.

In the Oct. 19 opinion, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District, Workers’ Compensation Commission Division, concluded that it would not reweigh the evidence in order to reach a conclusion opposite of that reached by the Commission.

Claimant Robert Deere filed the claim under the Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act against American Coal Company, contending that he suffered injuries to his lungs, heart, pulmonary system, and respiratory tracts …