The division is in charge of upholding and administering the Black Lung Benefits Act, which includes claims filed by coal miners and their survivors. There are 6,000 claims submitted to the division every year, and it pays out $395 million in benefit payments to coal miners and their families.

 

The division is based almost entirely on helping coal miners who suffer from black lung disease, or pneumoconiosis. Coal miners, both working and retired, as well as their dependents, may file claims with the division. Like many other legal claims, coal miners and their dependents have a time frame in which to file, and it varies depending on their case.

 

The division also requires that coal miners receive benefits by first qualifying as a self-insurer or by obtaining a commercial insurance contract. Once that insurance is obtained, coal miners or their families can receive monthly benefits that compensate for the miner’s injury or death.

 

Because of the amount of paperwork, various laws, and rules and regulations, many coal miners communicate with the Division of Coal Mine Workers Compensation through a personal injury attorney.