Eastern Coal Corp. v. Blankenship

OPINION OF THE COURT

Melvin Blankenship was employed by Eastern Coal Corporation and quit working on September 16, 1988, after he experienced chest pain and thought he had suffered a heart attack. His cardiologist concluded, however, that the source of his symptoms actually was his lungs. Subsequently, he was diagnosed as having contracted coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and was awarded retraining incentive (RIB) benefits. He had not returned to work as of the hearing on his claim.

Eastern provided its employees with 52 weeks of disability benefits at the rate of $200 per week. Blankenship…