Yocom v. Ratliff

VANCE, Judge:

Appellee, Russell Ratliff, for many years a coal miner, contracted pneumoconiosis while in the employ of appellee, Flatwoods Mining Company. He was informed by his doctor on March 13, 1975, that he had the disease, but he continued work with Flat-wood until May 8, 1975, when he quit work because of his disability. He filed a compensation claim against Flatwood and the appellee, Steeles Creek Coal Company, on July 1, 1975.

Before the filing of his claim, however, Ratliff began working as a coal miner for Childers Coal Company and worked for that company for two months, from June 1,…