Earl Patton Coal Co. v. Patton

ALAN E. NORRIS, Circuit Judge.

Petitioner, The Earl Patton Coal Company (“Patton Coal”), seeks review of an order of the Benefits Review Board (“the Board”), which affirmed separate decisions of two Administrative Law Judges. The first decision found that Edna Patton, widow of Earl Patton, was entitled to benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act, 30 U.S.C. §§ 901-945 (“the Act”). The second decision found that Patton Coal was the operator and the party responsible for payment of the benefits but that, under 20 C.F.R. § 725.496(f), the liability for benefits was not transferable under 30…