J. W. Beck v. F. David Mathews, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare

The district court granted summary judgment affirming a decision of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare (the Secretary) denying Beck’s claim for black lung disability benefits under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, 30 U.S.C. §§ 901-961 (the Black Lung Act or the Act). Beck appeals pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 28 U.S.C. § 1915. We also affirm.

Beck was born in 1919. The evidence is not clear regarding when he began working in the coal mines — it was some time between 1934 and 1937. He ceased working as a coal miner in 1942. From some time in the…