Cotton v. Consolidation Coal Co.

O’SULLIVAN, Senior Circuit Judge.

Because of the similarity of their facts and issues, these cases were consolidated for argument and decision. They present appeals by Consolidation Coal Company from awards to the named plaintiffs of Workmen’s Compensation Benefits under the laws of Tennessee. The cases were tried to United States District Judge Robert L. Taylor, sitting in the Eastern District of Tennessee, Northern Division. Each plaintiff had been a coal miner in the employ of appellant and each claimed to have become disabled by contracting pneumoconiosis —“black lung” — and Cotton also…