Zeigler Coal Co. v. Hopson

GUDGEL, Judge:

The principal issue in this appeal is whether the workers’ compensation board may validly reopen a claim which was previously dismissed without prejudice. The court below adjudged that it could. We agree. Hence, we affirm.

Appellee Edward Hopson, Jr. was employed by appellant Zeigler Coal Company (Zeigler) until December 22,1978. On June 25, 1979, Hopson filed a claim for workers’ compensation benefits against Zeigler, alleging that he was totally disabled due to having contracted the disease of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. Zeigler notified Hop-son, however, that it would resist…