Dan River, Inc. v. Higgins

James V. Higgins sued his employer, Dan River, Inc., on April 25, 1995, seeking workers' compensation benefits for an occupational disease, byssinosis. Higgins alleged that he had contracted the disease while working within the line and scope of his employment, by inhaling minute particles of cotton dust. Following an ore tenus proceeding, the court, on March 25, 1999, entered a final judgment, finding that Higgins was 100% totally disabled. The court stated, in part:

"3. On January 29, 1994, [Higgins] sustained an occupational disabling disease arising out of and in the course of his…