Butcher v. Island Creek Coal Co.

NEIKIRK, Judge.

Ashley Ward Butcher filed a claim before the Workmen’s Compensation Board, alleging that he was totally and permanently disabled to continue working as a coal miner due to the occupational disease of silicosis. Butcher presented a number of doctors who testified that he had an occupational disease. The employer and the Special Fund presented doctors who stated that he did not have an occupational disease. Because of the conflict in testimony, the Board on its own motion, pursuant to KRS 342.315, appointed a doctor to examine Butcher. The Board-appointed doctor found that…