Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. v. LTV Steel Co. (In re Chateaugay Corp.)

CALABRESI, Circuit Judge:

BACKGROUND

Appellee LTV Steel Company, Inc. (“LTV Steel”) and its predecessor in interest have, at various times, owned and operated a number of coal mines. As a coal mine operator, LTV Steel was responsible under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, 30 U.S.C. §§ 901-945, for the payment of black lung disability benefits to mine employ*774ees who contracted black lung disease, as well as to certain survivors of afflicted workers who died from the disease. See 30 U.S.C. §§ 921-922.

The Act requires employers covered by its provisions either to self-insure or…